NCJ Number
157826
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Drug testing programs in the juvenile justice system are discussed, with emphasis on the need for the purpose of a drug testing program to be consistent with the agency mission, as well as implementation methods structured to help accomplish this purpose.
Abstract
The development of sound policies for drug testing in the juvenile justice system is extremely important to protect youth from improper practices and procedures or the unwise use of test results, to protect staff and programs from legal liabilities, to develop appropriate and accurate documentation of community and program needs, and to provide services at an appropriate cost-benefit ratio. A 1991 survey that received responses from 69 juvenile justice agencies in 40 states revealed that nearly 90 percent perform drug testing of the juveniles in their programs. Only 58 percent of the programs providing testing indicated that they have policies and procedures for these services. The most commonly listed accountability-related responses to positive test results included revocation of probation or parole, a report to the court, a disciplinary action, or decreased privileges. Conducting urinalysis to promote competency development in youth often emphasizes identifying youth who are abusing drugs, confronting their use, and developing appropriate treatment responses. Failure to correlate the three elements of agency mission, program purpose, and use of results will probably lead to unsuccessful outcomes with individual youth, program failures, and staff frustration. Table and 15 references