NCJ Number
197461
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 459-471
Editor(s)
Daniel Offer
Date Published
December 2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes a quasi-experimental evaluation of an early intervention strategy undertaken in a youth community clinic designed to identify and reduce negative influences and experiences that place inner-city youth at high risk for drug use and other problem behavior.
Abstract
This study set out to determine the effectiveness of a data-based early intervention strategy designed to interrupt the development of deviance, including substance abuse, in youth from largely African-American inner-city neighborhoods considered to be at high-risk for progression in deviance on the basis of early signs of abnormal behavior. Study participants included 428 Baltimore inner-city youth. Of the 428 study participants, 235 were involved in the intervention program and 193 were involved in the control program. The intervention used in the experimental clinic consisted of individual counseling provided by existing clinic personnel. Emphasis was placed on counselor training in the prescribed case management approach. For treatment evaluation purposes, the assessment measures were obtained at baseline and 1-year later. Changes from the baseline to the follow-up assessment for the entire sample included slight increases in the number of participants engaged in alcohol use, marijuana use, and sexual intercourse. Even though there was a decrease in criminal and violent behavior, contacts with juvenile justice authorities remained stable. There was no increase in the use of drugs, except marijuana, and there was no increased involvement in drug distribution. References