Suchergebnisse

Scalogram analysis is a psychometric technique that can be used to infer the order of initiation of substance use, in a model that use of any substance implies use of all preceding substances. If responses follow a particular consistent pattern, scalogram analyses infers an underlying order of initiation. A counterexample is presented in which there is a consistent order of initiation and responses follow the prescribed pattern. However, the order inferred by scalogram analysis is the opposite of the actual order. Alternative models, which relax the assumption that order implies use of all preceding substances, are suggested.

"This book gives you a detailed review of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded, long-term clinical trial of the Family Empowerment Intervention. The subjects are youths who have been arrested and processed at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center and their families. With information on the conceptual foundations and clinical practices of the intervention and an examination of its one-year and longer-term impact on these youths' recidivism and psychosocial functioning, Family Empowerment Intervention: An Innovative Service for High-Risk Youths and Their Families will help you provide better services to these difficult-to-serve clients."-Cover

AbstractHealth criminology explores the connection between crime and health factors. Less is understood about longitudinal health risks and adolescents entering the juvenile justice system. This study used a sample of n = 388 males involved in the juvenile justice system to examined longitudinal associations of a latent health risk factor, comprised of depression, marijuana use, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with post‐juvenile assessment center (JAC) intake placement. Results using Bayesian estimation indicated the health risk factor was relatively stable over three time points of JAC entry and associated with present and, indirectly, future justice system placement. Youths who were Hispanic, Black, older, or living with a family member struggling with alcohol use had higher health risk. These findings underscore the need for juvenile justice system services that address health risks among persistent juvenile offenders, with consideration of cultural and family dynamics.

Although recent surveys of youths in the general population indicate that drug use has declined, drug use among juvenile detainees remains at a high level. These youths, who are often experiencing multiple problems, are a seriously underserved population group in our society. A review of the literature, and results from an ongoing longitudinal study of juvenile detainees in Tampa, Florida, documenting their drug use and related problems, lead to the identification of five key areas for policy and program development: early intervention; quality screening and assessment; providing quality, community-based services; improving linkages between community agencies; and continuity of services. Youths entering the juvenile justice system often require repeated interventions over a protracted period, reinforced by improvements in their social, vocational, and educational skills, if their lives are to be directed in socially responsible ways. A national effort is needed to address the poignant issues presented by these youths and their families.

It is argued that recent surveys of drug use among youths in the general US population indicating that drug use has declined are biased for failing to consider dropouts & institutionalized youth, including drug use among juvenile detainees. Here, a review of the literature & an ongoing longitudinal study of 399 juvenile detainees in Tampa, Fla, are drawn on to document their drug use & related problems, leading to the identification of five key areas for national policy & program development: early intervention; quality screening & assessment; providing quality, community-based services; improving linkages between community agencies; & continuity of services. Youths entering the juvenile justice system often require repeated interventions over a protracted period, reinforced by improvements in their social, vocational, & educational skills, if their lives are to be directed in socially responsible ways. Abstracted from the source document.

DATA from a survey of youths attending an inner city junior high school were examined to learn how their demographic characteristics, socio-cultural experiences and the drug use existing among their neighbourhood peers related to their involvement with substances. Discriminant analysis uncovered two important factors that were associated with the youths' drug taking : (1) a street scene, social / recreational drug use factor and (2) a cluster reflecting friends' use of alcohol/ marijuana and other drugs. The implications of these results for drug abuse prevention programming are explored.

Cluster analysis is applied to substance use and delinquency data collected in a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees to empirically derive five groups of youths from information gathered at their initial interviews (time 1): alcohol/marijuana-hashish users, low-level delinquents, alcohol/ marijuana-hashish and cocaine-using nondelinquents, high delinquency, cocaine users, and heavy cocaine-using nondelinquents. The validity of the typology was supported by a variety of other initial interview and follow-up interview alcohol/other drug use and delinquency data, and by recidivism information — including data on arrests during the three-and-a-half years following the date of the youths' first interviews. Research and policy implications of the findings are drawn.