NCJ Number
118024
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 51 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 28-30
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The majority of adjudicated juveniles abuse drugs and require treatment of addictions as their primary disease, because drug addiction creates many obstacles to the treatment of all other problems.
Abstract
Almost all the female juveniles and a large percentage of the male juveniles who are both adjudicated and abusing drugs have been physically or sexually abused by important adults. They have received little guidance or daily structure from their parents. Thus, the "Just Say No" campaign means little to them. They will be expensive to society, but doing nothing may be the most expensive choice. Without intervention, they are likely to transmit drug addiction and AIDS to the greater community and to abuse their own children. Programs for these youths should include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and continuous engagement in recreation, skill-building, and problemsolving activities during the day. These programs should be experiential. Relapse is common among these youths, and setbacks must be tolerated.