Culture and Substance Use Disorders Paper

Over the years, there has been a higher rate of substance use among adolescents, which indicates a greater need for treatment that focuses on less punitive measures and more treatment programs (Chassin, 2008). In this paper, there will be a discussion of the system linkages between juvenile justice and adolescent treatment system, the clinical and programmatic issues involved in the planning for substance use disorders treatment of juvenile offenders, and factors in engaging hard-to-reach adolescent populations.

System Linkages

Studies show that many adolescents are involved in the juvenile justice system; while this is unfortunate, there are many factors that play a role in the linkage of the two systems. Some of these linkages can include “fluctuation and the sequential and reciprocal inference from consistent trends” (Chassin, 2010). Substance use treatment can also be incorporated into the juvenile justice system in several ways, such as “the screening and assessment for drug abuse upon arrest, initiation of treatment while awaiting trial, access to treatment programs in the community in lieu of incarceration, and treatment during incarceration followed by the community- based treatment after release” (NIDA, 2014). It can be beneficial to have coordination between the juvenile justice and adolescent treatment systems, as it can be essential to helping an adolescent in need.

Clinical and Programmatic Issues

There can be many clinical and programmatic issues that are involved in the planning for substance use disorder treatment of juvenile offenders. As a clinician creating boundaries can be beneficial when working with substance use disorders treatment of juvenile offenders, as some individuals may be manipulative, disruptive, and uncooperative. Another issue can be family involvement, whether it’s too much or none. As family involvement is encouraged, it is not always best depending on the client’s state. Some things, such as family therapy, have been found to have a positive impact on drug courts, reducing criminal behaviors and rearrests (Dakof, 2015). Programmatic issues that are involved in the planning for substance use disorders treatment of juvenile offenders could not have the resources such as community outreach or continued care that could help with recidivism.

Engaging Adolescent Populations

There are many factors involved when it comes to engaging hard-to-reach adolescent populations, as adolescents are faced with many challenges that can be related to co-occurring mental disorders that are untreated, family conflict (where the family may not be supportive), and/or negative thoughts about treatment. Factors for clinicians to help with engaging the client can include motivational interviewing, (open-ended) questioning (to get to know the adolescent better), and engaging in activities that encourage involvement.

“Studies show that between one-quarter and two-thirds of juvenile offenders have serious problems related to substance use, and substance use among these youth is associated with increased sexual risk-taking, violence, poor educational outcomes, poor vocational outcomes, and recidivism” (Benner, 2010). In conclusion, substance use treatment can be linked to the juvenile justice system; as a clinician working with adolescents and throughout the treatment program, issues are involved in the planning for substance use disorders treatment of juvenile offenders, and factors can come into play when engaging with hard to reach adolescent populations.

References

Benner, G. J., Stage, S. A., Nelson, J. R., Laederich, M., & Ralston, N. C. (2010). Predicting the cumulative recidivism of juvenile detainees. The Journal of Behavior Analysis of Offender and Victim Treatment and Prevention, 2(1), 51-62

Chassin, L. (2008). Juvenile Justice and Substance Use. Future Of Children, 18(2), 165-183.

Chassin, L., Mulvey EP , and Schubert C A (2010). Substance Use and Delinquent Behaviour Among Serious Adolescent Offenders. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, US Department of Justice.

Dakof, G. A., Henderson, C. E., Rowe, C. L., Boustani, M., Greenbaum, P. E., Wang, W., & … Liddle, H. A. (2015). A randomized clinical trial of family therapy in juvenile drug court. Journal Of Family Psychology, 29(2), 232-241. doi:10.1037/fam0000053

NIDA. (2014). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide

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