scholarly journals Factors associated with substance use disorder treatment completion: a cross-sectional analysis of justice-involved adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah E. Johnson ◽  
Dieu X. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Treatment Completion ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background Substance use disorders (SUD) are prevalent among those in the juvenile justice system. SUD treatment programs implemented in correctional settings can prevent overdose and other health-related problems among an underserved health disparity population. However, only a fraction of justice-involved adolescents with SUDs complete a treatment program and the factors associated with treatment completion among adolescents in the criminal justice system have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods Using cross-sectional data on 25,587 adolescents from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FLDJJ) who met the criteria for SUD treatment, the study investigated the factors associated with the completion of SUD treatment. Sociodemographic, mental health, and other variables were examined. Results Several factors were associated with an increased likelihood of SUD treatment completion: previous participation in treatment programs, prior drug and alcohol education class attendance, and involvement in court-directed programs. Additional factors included multiple incarcerations, and strong financial and support networks. Conclusions The strongest factors associated with a higher likelihood of SUD treatment completion among adolescents in the justice system are ones that can be translated into programs and practices. Repeated referrals to treatment, court-directed programs, and strong support networks may yield higher rates of completion.

scholarly journals Black Girls And Referrals: Racial and Gender Disparities in Referral to Substance Use Disorder Screening in The Juvenile Justice System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah E Johnson ◽  
Shawnta L Lloyd ◽  
Skye C Bristol ◽  
Amy L Elliott ◽  
Linda B Cottler
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black Females ◽  
White Males ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background: Justice-involved children (JIC) have a high risk for illicit substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUD). Females are particularly vulnerable. It is critical that JIC who report current SU are referred for SUD screening to be provided with potentially life-saving treatment services. Florida law and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FLDJJ) policy mandate that JIC who report current SU be referred for SUD screening. Evidence suggests a racial referral gap among JIC who require SUD screening, and research on intersectionality suggests that these disparities may be exacerbated for minority females. Therefore, we hypothesize that Black and Latinx females will be less likely to be referred for SUD screening than White children despite reporting current substance use to FLDJJ. Methods: Multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze cross-sectional data from FLDJJ on 35,884 JIC who reported SU in the past six months. The main and interaction effects of race and gender on the likelihood of referral for SUD screening were tested. The control variables included substance type, age, household income, current SU problems, history of mental health problems, number of misdemeanors, and risk to recidivate. Results: There were no significant differences in the likelihood of being referred for SUD screening between White females and White males. However, Black females (AOR= 0.48), Latinx females (AOR= 0.77), and Black males (AOR= 0.76) were significantly less likely to be referred than White males. Black females were half as likely to be referred as White males and females. Conclusion: This study finds evidence that Black females in the juvenile justice system are significantly underserved. The justice community must leverage these findings to implement protocols that ensure equal services for all children and eliminate gender and racial disparities in SUD screening.

Treatment Services in the Juvenile Justice System: Examining the Use and Funding of Services by Youth on Probation

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Using Data

Youth enter the juvenile justice system with a variety of service needs, particularly for mental health problems. Research has examined the extent to which youth have mental health disorders, primarily among detained youth, and factors associated with treatment referrals, but little research has examined youth on probation and the actual use of services. Using data obtained from the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department from July 2012 through August 2014 ( N = 3,779), the current study examines (1) the factors associated with receiving treatment services while on probation and (2) the factors associated with receiving treatment services through different funding streams. Findings reveal that only about 25% of the sample of youth on probation received treatment services, suggesting the underservicing of youth. Consistent with prior research, there were also racial and ethnic disparities concerning treatment use, with Blacks and Latinos less likely to receive services. Additionally, certain characteristics of youth and their background influenced the funding source for treatment services. Implications for policy and research are discussed in light of these findings.

Alcohol and Drug Offenders in the Juvenile Justice System: Are There Differentials in Handling?

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles F. Frazier ◽  
Roberto Hugh Potter
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Offenders ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Drug Offenders ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
And Control ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

The American stance on law and control policy relating to alcohol and drug use has been replete with vacillations. Decriminalization and treatment oriented responses have emerged alongside continued support for laws calling for stiffer penalties and stepped up enforcement. In this situation, concern has grown over the possibilities that liberal legislation is subverted in actual practice to serve other purposes. It is feared offenders may be coerced into alternative sentences in the name of treatment and that such treatments may ultimately be more restrictive than traditional punitive dispositions. The present study examines the dispositions of juvenile offenders at three levels in the justice system. Alcohol and drug of fenders are compared to other offender types. Our data show no significant differentials in the severity of disposition alcohol and drug offenders receive. Moreover, the data show that youths violating drug and alcohol statutes are no more likely than other offender types at the same level of offense seriousness of being coerced into treatment programs.

scholarly journals Latinx Boys and Juvenile Delinquency

2020 ◽  
pp. 001112872097745
Author(s):  
Judy A. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Acculturation Theory ◽  
First And Second Generation

This study examines Latinx boys in the juvenile justice system and addresses acculturation theory to assess whether or not adjudicated foreign-born Latinx boys are more delinquent than others before adjudication, and whether or not these boys are a bigger burden on the juvenile justice system than others. The present study addresses data and methodological issues that plague the current research using the Ocean Tides Database containing multi-year (1975–2019) cross sectional data for 1,083 adjudicated boys. Multivariate analyses confirm that Latinx immigrant youth who are delinquent pose no greater threats to the American public either before or after adjudication than US-born citizens or other immigrants do. There is minimal support for acculturation theory in explaining behavioral differences between first and second-generation Latinx immigrants.

Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Needs Among Adolescents Involved With the Juvenile Justice System

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110163
Author(s):  
Jacquelynn F. Duron ◽  
Abigail Williams-Butler ◽  
Patti Mattson ◽  
Paul Boxer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
Lifetime Exposure

Justice-involved adolescents typically report high levels of lifetime trauma exposure, although research on juvenile justice system-wide screenings is limited. Further, there is little evidence from research on the psychological and substance abuse treatment related needs of youth relative to the trauma levels or types of trauma experienced by justice-involved adolescents. We documented lifetime exposure to traumatic events and its relation to psychological and substance use concerns in a sample of adolescents admitted to custody in the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission. This study examined lifetime exposure to traumatic events experienced by justice-involved adolescents (N = 627) using negative binomial regression modeling and zero-inflated negative binomial regression modeling to identify which adolescents have the greatest trauma exposure, and determine how cumulative types of trauma relate to youths’ mental health and substance use needs. Adolescents reported experiencing an average of 4 of 17 traumatic exposures on the Life Events Checklist. The most common traumas experienced directly and indirectly were physical assault and assault with a weapon. Considering particular traumas, there were differences in exposures based on race and ethnicity, sex, child welfare involvement, and gang affiliation. Higher levels of some types of traumatic exposure were consistently related to higher levels of mental health needs. Results indicate that adolescents enter the juvenile justice system with high levels of polytraumatization. These adverse events are associated with elevated mental health and substance use needs that should be considered in case planning.

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