Treatment Alternatives for Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abusers: A Six-State Survey

• NCJ Number: 108357
• Author(s): C J Kelly; J B McNure
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 148 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: American Justice Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A telephone survey was conducted to examine existing treatment alternatives for juvenile alcohol and drug abusers in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Abstract

The information obtained from State substance abuse officers and regional coordinators is organized in six State matrices and one composite matrix. Programs are classified by type (juvenile or general), public or private sector involvement, and type of intervention (early, diversion/treatment, involuntary custodial care). Major findings indicate that a number of counseling and treatment alternatives for juvenile substance abuse exist, with drug abuse outnumbering alcohol abuse programs four to one. Gaps in services were identified among certain populations; juveniles in custodial care, preadolescents, rural youth, and low income/high crime youth. There is a need for more juvenile-specific alcohol treatment programs and for early intervention programs for juvenile offenders. Finally, general, nonspecific counseling from a variety of sources is available to a broad range of adjudicated and nonadjudicated substance abusers. Available resources and service information for each State are provided. 22-item bibliography. (Author abstract modified)