Characteristics, Needs, Services, and Outcomes of Youths in Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts as Compared to Adolescent Outpatient Treatment

• NCJ Number: 233306
• Journal: Drug Court Review Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 2010 Pages: 10-56
• Author(s): Melissa L. Ives, M.S.W.; Ya-Fen Chan, Ph.D.; Kathryn C. Modisette, M.A.; Michael L. Dennis, Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 47 pages
• Contract Number(s): 270-07-0191
• Sponsoring Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA); US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared juvenile treatment drug courts (JTDCs) to adolescent outpatient treatment programs (AOP).

Abstract

This study used comprehensive intake and follow-up assessment data to compare juvenile treatment drug courts (JTDCs) to adolescent outpatient treatment programs (AOP) on client characteristics, services received and treatment outcomes through 6 months post-intake. The groups were matched using propensity scores to be similar on baseline substance abuse problems, justice system involvement, psychiatric co-morbidity, rates of victimization and baseline outcome measures. JTDC clients received significantly more substance abuse treatment, family-based services, probation supervision and drug testing than AOP clients, and were significantly more satisfied with treatment. At follow-up, the JTDC clients showed significantly greater reductions in days of substance abuse problems and emotional problems, although the magnitude of these effects were small to moderate. These findings suggests that JTDCs can be effective at retaining youths in treatment and achieving relatively improved outcomes. (Published Abstract)