NCJ Number
102609
Date Published
1985
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a synthesis and annotated review of recent literature (1977-1984) on the assessment and treatment of drug and alcohol abusers in criminal justice systems. An introduction outlines drug treatment efforts of Washington State's Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation (DJR), and a conclusion draws implications of the review for DJR programming.
Abstract
Current DJR drug treatment efforts include diagnosis, education, intervention, small group therapy, inpatient treatment, and aftercare. The literature annotations are listed under the following topics: research linking drug use and delinquency, policy responses to drug abusing juvenile offenders, and treatment for drug abusing juvenile offenders. The synthesis of the review notes that numerous studies indicate a relationship between the use of certain drugs and certain types of crime by young adults, but the debate continues over whether drugs are contributing factors, correlates, determinants, or causal agents. There is little consensus on the state-of-the-art of drug abuse treatment, due largely to inadequate or nonexistent program evaluation mechanisms. There is little early intervention for drug abusing juveniles. Prominent services for institutionalized juveniles include drug education, vocational counseling and training, and family therapy. Recommendations for DJR include continued research, the tailoring of drug treatment programs to juveniles' needs, attention to aftercare services, and the development of adequate evaluation mechanisms.