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.…

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…

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)

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…

This document contains witness statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine how the drug-addicted or drug-troubled juvenile offender is treated within the Florida juvenile justice system. Witnesses include the training director at the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association which is the association of Florida treatment centers;…

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,…

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…

Compares data collected over seven years concerning the emotional, behavioral and psychological problems of maltreated and nonmaltreated adolescents in a drug treatment program. Results indicated that females had significantly more emotional and psychological problems than did males, and that maltreated females had significantly higher levels of…

The typical student who completed the Phoenix Program, a pilot program for treatment of students with drug and/or alcohol problems, at the time of referral by the high school counselor, was 16 years old, failing all courses, known to local police and juvenile authorities, and receiving short-term counseling with his/her family. To determine…

Compared background, pre-treatment characteristics, and post-treatment outcomes of African American, Hispanic, and white adolescent substance abusers participating in the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies for Adolescents (DATOS-A). Found that patients were similar with respect to basic pre-treatment demographics. Compared to white adolescents,…