NCJ Number
214694
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2006 Pages: 149-155
Date Published
March 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the frequency of comorbid substance use and mental health problems of young people within the youth justice system and demonstrates that mental health and drug and alcohol services can be integrated and work effectively.
Abstract
Although incarcerated for serious offenses, juveniles in detention rank among the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged groups of young people in society. They frequently experience high levels of mental health and substance use problems along with low levels of support. The Mental Health Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (MHATODS) aims to provide integrated drug and alcohol and mental health treatment to young people in detention at a similar level and quality to that available to young people in the community. The MHATODS draws upon national and State policy directions promoting integration of mental health and drug and alcohol services. With interest in reducing juvenile crime and recidivism, the challenge now is to support innovative models for the assessment, management, and treatment of juveniles with comorbid substance use and mental health problems within the youth justice system. This paper describes the establishment of an integrated substance use and mental health service to the young people of the Brisbane Youth Detention Center (BYDC) in Australia. It examines changes to the service model which lead ultimately to increased referrals of young people with substance use problems and emphasizes the growing importance of drug and alcohol assessments and the development of treatment programs. 1 figure, 1 table, and 53 references