A Review of Effective Substance Abuse Treatment for Juvenile Delinquents in the United States.

Abstract

Adolescent substance abuse and juvenile delinquency are interrelated and complex problems that remain prevalent and problematic in the United States. Accordingly, this article provides an overview of promising interventions available to treat substance-abusing juvenile offenders, including juvenile assessment centers and juvenile addiction receiving facilities, drug courts, boot camps, therapeutic communities, family-based interventions, multisystemic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, alcoholics anonymous, case management, and urine drug testing. It is critical that practitioners remain up-to-date on the best practices available, which will be critical in maximizing effectiveness in treating substance-abusing juvenile delinquents. Given the limited resources that are currently directed to troubled youths, an international commitment to help these youths is warranted if we are to reduce their substance abuse, delinquency, and associated problems.