Examination of the Relationships Among Drug Use, Emotional/Psychological Problems, and Crime Among Youths Entering a Juvenile Detention Center

• NCJ Number: 142787
• Journal: International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 25 Issue: 11 Dated: (1990) Pages: 1301-1340
• Date Published: 1990
• Author(s): R Dembo; L Williams; E D Wish; E Berry; A Getreu; M Washburn; J Schmeidler
• Length: 40 pages
• Grant Number(s): 86-IJ-CX-0050
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

Urine testing and confidential interviews were used to gather information from 399 youths entering a juvenile detention center in a Florida city in a study of their drug abuse, delinquency, and emotional and psychological problems.

Abstract

The data came from an ongoing, prospective study of juvenile detainees in the city. The initial data collection took place between December 1986 and April 1987. Followups were made at 6, 12, and 18 months using official records, further interviews, and urinalysis. Results revealed that recent users of marijuana/hashish and cocaine had higher rates of referral to juvenile court for property and drug law offenses than did nonusers. Results suggest that interviewing and urine testing of youthful detainees for drug use at the point of entry into secure detention is a promising method for screening youths with histories of delinquent behavior. Tables and 64 references