Prevalence, Correlates and Consequences of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Among Youths in a Juvenile Detention Center

• NCJ Number: 109090
• Journal: Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall-Winter 1986-1987) Pages: 97-127
• Author(s): R Dembo; M Dertke; J Schmeidler; M Washburn
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-CJ-1B-0839-05-402
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 3rd National Juvenile Health Care Conference, New York City, October 16-19, 1985.

Annotation

Data gathered from indepth interviews with a systematic sample of 145 youth in a regional detention center in a southeastern State are used to examine the demographic and life experience factors relating to their alcohol and other drug use. The data indicate that many detainees have an extensive involvement in alcohol and other drug use, and that their drug use relates to a number of developmentally damaging experiences they have had. Implications of the results are drawn with regard to the treatment needs of these youths. (Publisher abstract)