Drug and Alcohol Involvement among Minority and Female Juvenile Offenders: Treatment and Policy Issues

Abstract

Substance abuse and its consequences have had an important impact on the juvenile justice system, but relatively little attention has been paid to assessing and treating juvenile offenders for substance-related problems. Female and minority youth have been particularly affected: Most young female offenders have some substance involvement, yet juvenile justice–based treatment interventions are scarce. Second, minority overrepresentation occurs at all stages of the juvenile justice system; minority youth are treated more severely, and minority drug offenders in particular are at increased risk of formal handling, detention, and custody placement. Increased attention is needed to implement effective treatment and prevention programs that are gender and culturally specific and that target known risk factors. The authors describe some of the key elements and policies needed to reduce the impact of current juvenile justice policies on substance-involved girls and minorities and to overcome barriers to providing more effective treatment and related services for these populations.