La Canada Adolescent Treatment Program: Addressing Issues of Drug Use, Gender, and Trauma (From Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment in the United States: Exemplary Models From a National Evaluation Study, P 183-209, 2003, Sally J. Stevens, Andrew R. Morral, eds., -- See NCJ-198897)

• NCJ Number: 198905
• Author(s): Sally J. Stevens; Joseph Hasler; Bridget S. Murphy; Rebekah Taylor; Mark Senior; Martha Barron; Patricia Garcia; Zoe Powis
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 27 pages
• Grant Number(s): KD1 TI11422
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses substance abuse among adolescents in the State of Arizona and a residential step-down program developed to meet the needs of this population.

Abstract

Arizona ranks higher than the national average in poverty, high school dropout, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, child abuse and neglect, violent crimes, and juvenile arrests. These factors are strongly related to substance abuse and add to the difficulties of providing appropriate, diverse, and culturally competent drug treatment services. La Canada Adolescent Treatment Program (La Canada) was established in 1996 and serves an ethnically diverse population of male and female adolescents 12- to 17-years-old. Adolescents must have a DSM Axis I diagnosis of substance abuse and be from one of Arizona’s five southern counties to be admitted into La Canada. The program provides an integrated treatment model that combines traditional psychiatric and milieu approaches with systems theory. Family therapy and involvement are essential to the program. The program provides a structured living environment that addresses problems and issues associated with daily living, personal care, social development, interpersonal behavior, and recreation. The residential component of the program is 30 days in duration and includes individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, psycho-educational groups, and case management. The 2-month intensive aftercare component includes family and individual therapy, therapeutic groups, family activities, and community activities. This is followed by a two-month non-intensive aftercare component. Throughout the program significant focus is given to the cultural and gender-specific needs of those in treatment. Trauma and stress were experienced by a substantial number of adolescents that entered the program. 3 tables, 14 references