Drug Treatment for Juvenile Offenders: Some Good and Bad News

Abstract

Approximately 700 substance-abusing youthful offenders were assigned to either a two-month residential substance abuse treatment program group or a comparison group. Upon completion of the program, the residential treatment group youths were placed in either the treatment or comparison group for a four-month community aftercare phase. Youths who participated in the residential portion of the program reported significantly decreased drug use and delinquency and increased cognitive decision-making skills and demonstrated a longer period of time from entry into the study until rearrest than control youths. Results for the aftercare segment of the program show that the positive gains made while in the residential program were not bolstered through aftercare. Aftercare youths reported more delinquent behavior and demonstrated more participation in drug-related crime than control subjects. Aftercare youths did, however, exhibit less participation in crimes of an interpersonal nature.