NCJ Number
68729
Journal
Drug Forum Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (1978-79) Pages: 35-40
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
IN QUEENS, NEW YORK, A PROJECT CALLED NEW DIRECTIONS USES PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, ONGOING COUNSELING, AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATIVE COUNSELING TO HELP ADOLESCENTS REACHED THROUGH IN-SCHOOL DRUG CRISIS COUNSELING PROGRAMS.
Abstract
STUDENTS WERE REFERRED BY COOORDINATORS OF SCHOOL DRUG PROGRAMS. AS THE STUDENTS WERE IDENTIFIED, GROUPS OF BETWEEN 5 AND 10 STUDENTS WERE FORMED. THE PROGRAM OPERATES THROUGH GROUP COUNSELING THAT FOCUSES ON VOCATIONAL TOPICS. THE WEEKLY MEETINGS INCLUDED SIMPLE VOCATIONAL INTEREST TESTING, ROLE PLAYING FIELD TRIPS TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES, AND USE OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE COUNSELING SERVICES. GROUPS MET WEEKLY FOR 8 TO 10 WEEKS (1 HOUR SESSIONS) FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING CAREER COUNSELING OR WEEKLY FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL TERM FOR STUDENTS NEEDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING. THE VOCATIONAL APPROACH REACHED MANY YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS WHO WERE AFRAID TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING WITH A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST. THE GROUP SITUATION HELPED THEM TO SEE THAT MANY OF THEIR PEERS WERE STRUGGLING WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THE PARTICIPANTS RESPONDED EAGERLY TO BOTH VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED A MECHANISM TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS WITH MORE SEVERE PROBLEMS AND OFFER THEM SPECIALIZED HELP. THE ROLE PLAYING HELPED IDENTIFY SEVERE FAMILY AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS WHICH WERE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE DRUG ABUSE. SUCH PROGRAMS WOULD MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF MANY TROUBLED YOUNGSTERS.