NCJ Number
150925
Date Published
1994
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report on a pilot data-collection program at the Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center (Maryland) presents findings on the level of substance abuse in 105 juvenile males, based on self-reported information and urine test results.
Abstract
The study methodology was modeled after that used by the national Drug Use Forecasting program. Findings on detainees at Noyes are compared with findings from those at the Waxter facility. Noyes youths were primarily from suburban counties, and most of the Waxter youths came from Baltimore City. Lifetime use of LSD and marijuana was more prevalent among the Noyes youths. Waxter youths were more likely to report current dependence on alcohol (13 percent versus 5 percent), but Noyes youths were more likely to have ever received drug or alcohol treatment (18 percent versus 6 percent). Noyes youths were more likely to test positive for marijuana; for both populations, youths charged with drug offenses were those most likely to test positive for drug use. Although some youths admitted marijuana use, none at either facility who tested positive for cocaine or opiates admitted recent use. In both populations, drug use increased with age. Overall, findings from the two facilities confirm considerable drug use in the Maryland juvenile detention population. The consistent underreporting of recent drug use by juvenile detainees suggests that drug tests might be useful for identifying drug-using youths. 11 tables, 3 figures, and appended study instruments