NCJ Number
130082
Date Published
1990
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This longitudinal project was initiated to assess the value of urinalysis in identifying detained youth at risk of future drug use and delinquent behavior and to suggest intervention strategies to reduce the likelihood of these youth becoming further involved in drug use and/or criminal activities.
Abstract
In the first year of the project, data were obtained on a cohort of 399 Florida resident detainees entering the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center in 1986-1987. Followup data were collected the next year to evaluate alcohol and other drug use, emotional and psychological functioning, and delinquent behavior. Data collection and analysis activities were accomplished in the third year to assess youth contact with juvenile or adult criminal justice systems 24 and 30 months following initial interviews. It was found that various measures of youths' educational experiences were not significantly related to alcohol, marijuana, hashish, and cocaine use or to their self-reported delinquent behavior over time. In addition, educational experience factors generally had low to near zero magnitudes of association with alcohol and other drug use and delinquency variables. Educational data further indicated poor performance in and weak commitment to school. Youth were deeply disaffiliated from school at initial interview and became more alienated from school during the followup period. 25 references, 1 table, and 5 figures