NCJ Number
154027
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1995) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
M R Mildon
Date Published
1995
Length
120 pages
Annotation
Members of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, having concluded that children and their families must be the primary focus of a national strategy, have offered these recommendations to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse.
Abstract
The first set of recommendations pertain to community responsibility and action, which is the key to successful reduction of AOD abuse. Only at the community level can effective comprehensive responses be developed to reduce the supply of and demand for illicit drugs and to change societal attitudes and behaviors. The second set of recommendations involve the family and parental responsibility to teach children the values of drug-free lives. The third section discusses the need for court access to a complete range of services for effective screening, identification, assessment, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug users. Juvenile and family courts have a fundamental responsibility to protect the best interests of children, families, and communities; they can play a vital role in reducing the harmful effects of substance abuse. Finally, the report offers some public policy recommendations in the areas of nonlegalization of drugs, reduction of supply and demand, property confiscation, limits on advertising, and liability for damages.