Early Detection and Intervention for "At Risk" Youth (From Reducing Criminality--Partnerships and Best Practices, P 1-4, 2000, Adam Graycar, ed. -- See NCJ-186333)

• NCJ Number: 186340
• Author(s): Anne Russel-Brown
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper examines some of the attractions that draw young people to the big cities, possible negative consequences, and what can be done to help at-risk youth.

Abstract

Police are frequently called on to prevent young people from coming into the city or to act to remove all young people from the city after a certain hour at night, overlooking the fact that bright lights and activity are as attractive to youth as to adults. Using the city of Northbridge as an example, on any one weekend, between 200 and 300 young people under age 18 come into the city and entertainment area. For the vast majority, it is an enjoyable, safe, and uneventful excursion. However, a cohort of 20 to 30 young people who come into the city regularly will engage in behaviors that cause concern and often bring them to the attention of statutory agencies: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, violence, criminal activity, and antisocial behavior. To help those young people, the Inner City Youth Partnership was created to provide a coordinated point of contact for young people at risk and to identify those most at risk at an early stage.