NCJ Number
134687
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1991) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Preventing relapses in adolescent drug abusers receiving treatment should be considered not only from the perspective of preventing relapsed youths from failing again but also, and more importantly, by considering the important factors involved even before the problem of drug abuse has appeared.
Abstract
The first action should be to adopt a national statement supporting rights of minors, thereby promoting the goals of a psychologically healthy environment. Other needed measures to discourage drug abuse include effective community service systems that provide affordable health care for all, freely available education, employment opportunities, and job training; parent training that includes drug abuse prevention; peer counseling and modeling; and effective marketing of ideas about health. Drug abuse prevention also requires a well-trained criminal justice system and appropriate drug treatment services and staff. Specific elements of a relapse prevention program include longer institutional stays for relapsers, careful selection of trainers, and encouragement of altruism among alienated adolescents. Case examples and 13 references