NCJ Number
46084
Journal
JOURNAL OF JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURTS Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 39-57
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION IS PRESENTED ON THE DIVERSION OF JUVENILE DRUG OFFENDERS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
AN OVERVIEW OF THE DIVERSION PROGRAM IS LIMITED TO INTAKE AND REHABILITATIVE COMPONENTS. THE INTAKE AGENCIES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE POLICE AND PROBATION DEPARTMENTS AND EXERCISE THE ACTUAL FUNCTION OF DIVERTING. THE REHABILITATIVE AGENCIES COMPRISE THE LAST STEP IN THE DIVERSION PROCESS; I.E., TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION. THE POLICE AND PROBATION DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIVERSION SYSTEM IN SAN DIEGO. THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED WITH THESE AGENCIES IN THE DIVERSION PROCESS ARE THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETION IN CHOOSING DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES, THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES TO MONITOR THE DIVERTED JUVENILE, AND THE ABSENCE OF ANY FORMALIZED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE RESOURCE AGENCY AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. THE THREE AGENCIES IN THE REHABILITATIVE PROCESS IN SAN DIEGO ARE THE DEPARTMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE (CDSA), DRUG AND NARCOTIC EDUCATION (CDANE) AND THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU (YSB). THE PRIMARY GOAL OF DSA IS TO REDUCE DRUG ABUSE AMONG COUNTY RESIDENTS THROUGH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSERS. DANE EMPHASIZES THE PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE IN THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. YSB PROVIDES COUNSELING, FOSTER HOME PLACEMENTS, WORK ASSIGNMENTS, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TO TROUBLE-MAKING YOUTHS REFERRED TO THEM BY POLICE, PROBATION DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED.