Andresen discussed vulnerability as an analytical category in childhood studies and reflected on how the concept could be linked to structural, systemic and individual factors. This article starts by asking what vulnerability is and by examining its relation to agency. It suggests conceptualising agency as a dynamic experience rather than as a…

The progression from prescription opioid (RXO) abuse to RXO addiction is not well understood in adolescents, nor is the progression from RXO addiction to heroin abuse. The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize the development of RXO drug abuse, RXO drug addiction, and heroin abuse in a small cohort of adolescents recovering from opioid…

Purpose: This review evaluates the evidence of the effects of multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) on drug use reduction in young people for the treatment of nonopioid drug use. Method: We followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines to conduct a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials. Meta-analytic methods were used to…

A popular notion refers to laughter as ''the best medicine,'' and a stream of psychological research encourages treatment providers to use humour as a therapeutic tool. However, remarkably few studies have investigated client perspectives on professionals' use of humour in everyday practice. Drawing on ethnographic data from fieldwork in two…

The adolescent drug problem places a huge toll on society and a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. Research regarding the benefits of therapeutic community (TC) treatment for adolescents has shown it to be effective. Despite the ability of therapeutic communities to lower drug relapse and reduce criminality, a great deal remains unknown…

The purpose of this study is to use the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies' (CJ-DATS) Inmate Prerelease Assessment (IPASS), which recommends either intensive or nonintensive treatment after release, to predict rural offenders' 12-step attendance and treatment entry within six months of release from prison. IPASS scores indicated that…

Describes investigation examining relationship between adolescent drug abuser's motivation to seek treatment and treatment outcome in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Found moderate relationship between motivation and problem reduction. Found that motivation to seek assistance with other life problems correlated positively with problem…

Provides a scheme for conceptualizing the various approaches to prevention in relation to the Public Health Services prevention model, the Host/Agent/Environment Triad. Discusses areas of research necessary before prevention approaches can be prioritized. Speculates about the future of prevention and recommends the most promising approaches.…

Examined effectiveness of strategy for engaging adolescent drug users and their families in therapy. Assigned drug-using Hispanic adolescents (N=108) and families to strategic structural-systems engagement (experimental) condition or to engagement-as-usual (control) condition. Experimental subjects engaged at rate of 93 percent, with 77 percent…

Briefly examines research on prevention and promotion, then presents extended look at one recent effort to describe the power of promotion for reducing substance use and a wide range of other risk-taking behaviors. Moves away from preoccupation with disease, deficit, and deviance by targeting crucial strengths and assets that must be addressed to…

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) among youths active in at least one of five public service systems: mental health (MH), educational services for youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), child welfare (CW), juvenile justice (JJ), and alcohol and…

This document contains the third volume of "Today's Delinquent," an annual publication of the National Center for Juvenile Justice. This volume deals with the issue of drugs and includes articles by leading authorities in delinquency and substance abuse who share their views on causes and cures for the drug problem among youth in this country.…

Discusses adolescent substance abuse as a manifestation of social deviance. Reviews theories of adolescent deviance in light of their contributions to understanding troubled youth. Develops a youth assessment framework to provide a systematic means of linking theories to specific treatment strategies. (CMG)

Study examines the use of urine screening as a clinical diagnostic procedure to assess and monitor adolescents in a school-based outpatient program (N=296). Random screening provides little information regarding diagnostic level and pattern of drug use; however it may be helpful in bringing about positive behavior change. (EMK)

Examined gender differences in etiology, referral, and treatment for substance abuse in adolescents (n=930) in treatment. Major differences were found between males and females; suicide attempts, physical/sexual abuse, and family drug history were higher for females than for males. Males and females were similar in their patterns of drug abuse.…