Background: Adolescent juvenile offenders are at high risk for problems associated with drug use, including polysubstance use (i.e., use of a variety of drugs). The combination of juvenile offending and polysubstance use presents a significant public and child health concern. Objective: This study explored polysubstance use among a sample of youth…

With the emergence of the Democratic South Africa, a number of disciplinary problems emerged. One of these problems is truancy of school children from schools. The South African Schools Act (1996, p. 6) provides that if a learner who is subject to "compulsory attendance" fails to attend a school, the HODS (heads of departments) may take…

Having witnessed drug use, idleness, and dangerous driving, a parent urges school officials to encourage neighborhood vigilance, follow up on leads, use dogs to sniff out drugs, suspend hard cases, expose second offenders to drug victims in local hospitals, and provide students with positive role models and career goals. (PB)

Case studies illustrate how a restorative approach to substance abuse can bring about the recognition of profound community injustices and how confronting injustices can help tackle substance abuse. Outlines the research and development needed to test the hypothesis that criminalization of the harm caused by substance abuse (e.g., burglary) may be…

Wraps up a theme issue that explores the common ground between the restorative justice and community justice movements and examines their effect on substance-abusing youth and the communities in which they reside. Suggests that restorative justice programs may help adolescent treatment providers in their adoption of practices to promote change and…

Describes Project ADAPT, a drug treatment program for juvenile delinquents based on the Social Development Model which integrates knowledge of risk factors. Notes Project ADAPT combines behavioral skill training, supportive network development, and involvement in prosocial activities to facilitate community reentry of adolescents following…

Examined criminal activity among 1,167 adolescents who participated in the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies for Adolescents (DATOS-A). Found that among adolescents who had engaged in criminal activity 12 months prior to treatment entry, reduced alcohol or marijuana use were independently associated with significant reductions in the likelihood…

Introduces a collection of articles by adolescent treatment experts and leading thinkers in the juvenile, restorative, and community justice movements. Articles offer broad overviews of the state of the art within these areas; commentary on challenges, opportunities, and changes such programming would entail; and case examples showing real-world…

The program positively affected family communication patterns, self-esteem levels, and drug knowledge levels at follow-up. The follow-up data indicated that drug-related school system and drug-related criminal justice system contacts were significantly reduced. There was a reduction in drug usage by regular users for selected drugs. (Author)

Analyzes baseline variables to examine associations among control and labeling theory variables, diversion, gender, and drug use. Results show that changes in drug use over time appeared to be a function of several complicated processes. Reports other findings and suggests that studies of deviant behavior need to be multitheoretical. (RJM)

Examined effectiveness of methods used by public and private institutions' handling of incarcerated delinquents. Concluded that organizational culture is key concept in delivery of services to incarcerated children and youth; that private sector provides alternative to public in delivery of services; that alcohol and drug treatment programs are…

Examines the validity of the conduct disorder hypothesis of adolescent drug involvement on a large drug clinic-referred sample (N=2,582). It was hypothesized that factors of delinquency would account for the most variance in drug use compared to three competing factors (psychological distress, nonconventional values, and family distress). Analyses…

Examines relationships among adolescent drug use and family relationships, aspirations, school involvement, and delinquent behaviors. Analysis of 475 juvenile probationers yielded profiles of marijuana and alcohol use that were influenced by friends' alcohol or marijuana use, selling drugs, and other factors. Recommendations for intervention,…

Aims: To explore (1) the influence of pretreatment and treatment factors on treatment retention among a multi-ethnic sample of adolescents and (2) the potential differential influence of pretreatment and treatment factors on treatment retention within each ethnic subgroup. Participants: A multi-ethnic sample of 420 adolescent juvenile offenders in…

Describes Project Choices, a residential treatment program for drug-abusing adjudicated adolescents that employs the adventure-based counseling model to instill change. Describes Project Choices goals as being the reduction of conduct-disordered behavior associated with delinquency and drug use. Presents program evaluation results which suggest…