Blog Post #5

Juvenile Rehabilitation

            While many can easily identify the criminal/delinquent issues related to juveniles, it might not be the same for recognizing the importance of juvenile rehabilitation. For this reason, the following post will focus primarily on juvenile rehabilitation.

            To better understand the rehabilitation process, one must first understand rehabilitation in its meaning. Rehabilitation is most commonly known as a process that focuses on and attempts to restore troubled individuals into becoming a greater asset to society. As it relates to juveniles, such a system is designed specifically for youth who have committed crimes or are displaying behaviors which may suggest troubled futures.

            Theoretically, rehabilitation is the focus of juvenile corrections programs  In practice, however, as occurs with adult programs, juvenile rehabilitation programs may be poorly implemented. As with many adult programs, the act of rehabilitating needs to have direct attachment to the individual in need, willing or otherwise. Strengthening implementation of existing rehabilitation and delinquency prevention programs could substantially reduce future criminality.

            Like most rehabilitative approaches, there is no “one” answer with respect to juvenile rehabilitation. The initial understanding when recognizing such a process must first be the notion that juvenile rehabilitation is an art, not a science. With that said, what works for one juvenile, may not work for the next. The lack of a blanket answer can raise a rather difficult problem. It is often only after many attempts, carrying with it much trial and error, that a particular method is deemed  useful for the specific individual. Regardless of the method utilized, it is paramount that a significant effort be made  early on. Through reaching these youth early enough, chances are they will not re-offend.

            While many believe juvenile rehabilitation is designed to be a “punishment,” in the majority of cases it is not. Although containing children in facilities may seem like punishment, it should be remembered that both mental and substance rehabilitation often involve people staying in facilities. As juvenile rehabilitation methods widely vary, many are devised more to deter future delinquency and provide strong guidance than to serve as outright punishment.

            As with many laws and rehabilitative strategies, the Juvenile Rehabilitation process varies from one location to the next. In many instances, these strategies can include: boot camps; after-school programs; and incarceration in detention facilities. Possibly some of the most frequent reasons for forcing such children into these programs include truancy, involvement with drugs, and assault.

            Juvenile rehabilitation commonly involves more than locking children up and disciplining them. It more importantly offers such children the opportunity to get involved in skill-building programs, earn educational diplomas, and personalized and intensive counseling, all of which are most likely not available otherwise.

            Within these programs it has become extremely important to ensure these individuals are separated into various classes of offenders.  A better explanation: putting minors who commit lower-scale offenses, such as truancy, with those who have committed harsh crimes such as rape, can have detrimental effects.           

            The question now is, how do we as a society better this rehabilitative process?

            Today, many communities have  begun to focus on reaching out to at-risk juveniles in hopes  of initiating the appropriate steps towards reducing rehabilitative related flaws. Doing this, communities are establishing programs  which have been suggested by the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model, a research project funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This model offers programs and goals for communities trying to prevent juvenile delinquency and to effectively rehabilitate youthful offenders.

            Additionally, the model urges communities to teach juveniles who commit crimes that their greatest obligations are to their victims, over and above the state. The model also emphasizes creating meaningful rehabilitative programs that provide each youth, upon leaving the juvenile justice system, with at least one meaningful method to earn an honest living.

            The model further reminds communities that the best way to maintain safety is to both create meaningful sports or other programs of interest to at-risk juveniles and establish community groups and individuals willing to help monitor troubled juveniles.

            In greater detail, The OJJDP offers programs that; “address addictions and other self-defeating behaviors through such vehicles as specialty courts; provide eligible juveniles with vocational training programs; expose the destructive aspects of gangs to those who might seek to join them; and help juveniles before or after they commit hate crimes to understand, appreciate and respect people in the community who do not look or act like them or hold similar beliefs” (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2011).

            Possibly the greatest method to assist/rehabilitate such youth is through vocational training programs. The OJJDP urges every type of business group in a community to create programs that will help at-risk juveniles develop skills before they become involved in committing crimes or status offenses.

            One such program, implemented in 1994, is Project CRAFT (Community Restitution and Apprenticeship Focused Training). Specifically focusing on providing youth with a variety of social and job-search skills, along with apprenticeship certificate training in a variety of building skills, The Home Builders Institute has made it a top priority to offer youth the skills necessary to succeed, while at the same time, implementing the importance of being an active and productive citizen in society. (Juvenile programs, 2011).

            A second program deemed to be successful, is the OJJDP’s Juvenile Mentoring Grants Program. This program, utilizes a mentoring process which uses relationships to teach, impart, and institute changes in behaviors and attitudes. Research further indicates that well-implemented mentoring can be a useful strategy in working with at-risk youth and those who experience multiple risk factors for delinquency, school failure and other negative outcomes (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2011).

            As it has been deemed quite successful, many alternative juvenile rehabilitative programs have included education and employment as the primary rehabilitative methods. Using such methods, youth are encouraged to prepare for self-sufficiency by developing job skills, life skills and strategies that help youth to become quality, productive members of their community. Such programs further focus on participants' strengths and assets as well as encourage personal growth. Within these programs, are requirements for participants that may include attendance, full participation and testing for substance abuse. Lastly, research has indicated that Education and Employment programs reduce recidivism rates and prepare youth for long-term success (Sessoms, 2010).

            Through similar methods as previously noted, it can be suggested that to ensure the greatest level of success, rehabilitative approaches need to become a priority within the community. This community rehabilitative approach will by no means eliminate all juvenile criminal activity, however, it will serve to be a productive method in reducing such activity. In turn, reducing such criminal activity, while teaching youth useful skills and the importance of contributing to society, it too will have grave affects on society in an economical sense. With less crime, monies delegated for the incarceration of such youth could then be directed back into the community, further establishing greater athletic and afterschool programs. Taking it a step further, through the implementation of such opportunities, it will provide the youth with more opportunities to become active in programs and activities that society deems acceptable.

            It is a cycle that foresees great success with the youth, the community, and society as a whole. Unfortunately, one will not exist without the other. For this reason, I urge you the reader, the community, to get involved, establish your role in a new, successful method of rehabilitating juveniles.

Sources:

“Juvenile Programs.” (2011). Retrieved from

http://public.getlegal.com/legal-info-center/juvenile-justice/juvenile-programs

“Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.” U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Justice Programs. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2011. Web. 28 Apr 2011 
http://www.ojjdp.gov/programs/ProgSummary.asp?pi=49&ti=&si=&kw=&PreviousPage=ProgResults

Sessoms, G.  (2010, August 15). Alternative Juvenile Programs. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/206501-alternative-justice-programs/

Blog Post #4

Juvenile Drug Use

        Drug use in the U.S. is a topic most would agree to be a growing problem. While the attention of the use and abuse of illicit drugs has largely been correlated to adults, it too has become a more common issue among juveniles.

        To provide a better understanding of the issues relating to juvenile drug use and abuse, this post will make aware: the unfortunate numbers in juvenile drug use; health and long-term effects related thereto; treatment needs and opportunities; and arrests and sentencing as a result of such use.

        While many believe juvenile drug use to be at a state of constant rise, current trends confirm that such use has been at a substantial decline in usage levels. With this decline however, the reduction in youth drug use continues to act as a key component of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. Studies have shown that the earlier a juvenile initiates drug use, the more likely he/she will develop drug problems later in life (Office of National Drug Control Policy).

         In a 2008 Monitoring the Future study, it was found that, 19.6% of eight graders, 34.1% of tenth graders, and 47.4% of twelfth graders reported using illicit drugs within their lifetimes. Additional information identified from this study, implied that for eighth grade students, in the years 2007 & 2008, 7.4% and 7.6%, respectively, admitted to using illicit drugs within the past month, with 13.2% and 14.1%, respectively admitting use within the past year. Of that same time period, 16.9% and 15.8%, respectively, of tenth grade students admitted to illicit drug use within the past month, with 28.1% and 26.9%, respectively, admitting to such use within the past year. For twelfth grade students during the same time period, 21.9% and 22.3%, respectively, admitted to drug use within the past month, while 35.9% and 36.6%, respectively, admitted to such use within the past year (Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, and Schulenberg. 2008).

         Additionally, a 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, established the following: 19.7% of students were actively using marijuana; 3.3% using cocaine; 13.3% using inhalants; 2.3% using heroin; 4.4% using meth; 5.8% using ecstasy; and 3.9% using steroids. They further concluded that youths who more actively participated in school activities (i.e., dance lessons, student government, sports, band) during the past year were less likely to have used illicit drugs within the past month than those not participating in such activities. For youths ranging in ages from “12-17 who participated in two or more youth activities, 10.4% had used an illicit drug in the past month. Among youths indicating one or no youth activities in the past year, 17.9% reported past month illicit drug use (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).           

        Next, is the focus on health effects. As it pertains to juvenile drug use, it can be noted that such use by these juveniles greatly increases the possibility that he/she will encounter many related effects. Through persistent substance abuse by juveniles, many often find themselves confronted by academic difficulties, poor peer relationships, health-related problems, and possibly the most unfortunate, involvement with the juvenile justice system.

        The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) notes that, “mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents” (ONDCP). In addition, the ONDCP suggests that those youth involved in substance abuse, are much more likely than non users to experience mental health problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. In addition to these mental concerns, persistent drug abuse also has correlations to delinquency, arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the juvenile justice system (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
        The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), notes that while substance abuse has not been identified to directly cause delinquent behavior, nor has ones delinquent behavior been linked to cause an increase in drug and alcohol use, it is suggested that the two are strongly correlated and often result in problems both in school and family, increased involvement with negative peer groups, a lack of neighborhood social controls, and physical or sexual abuse (OJJDP).

        In a study reporting the number of people seeking emergency department (ED) treatment related to illicit drug use, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN),  reported that in 2006, ED drug-related episodes for persons aged 12-17 were estimated to be 58,428. Of these episodes, marijuana was mentioned 44,088 times; cocaine was mentioned 10,984 times; stimulants were mentioned 7,740 times, and MDMA (Ecstasy) was mentioned 4,524 times (Drug Abuse Warning Network).

        With such astounding numbers, it is only right that the next focus be on treatment. In a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,  it was noted that in 2006, of youths aged between 12 and 17, 2.1 million needed treatment for the usage of illicit drugs and/or alcohol. It was also noted that of this number, only 181,000 received the appropriate treatment from specialty facilities, leaving the remaining 1.9 million juveniles who needed treatment for a substance use problem, on their own (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

        With this information, it is without question that the establishment of further facilities be initiated, while at the same time, increasing the availability of such treatment to those juveniles in need of it.            

        The final issue related to juvenile drug use, is that of arrests and sentencing. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting Program, “109,444 juveniles (under the age of 18) were arrested by state and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations during 2007, representing approximately 10.6% of all drug arrests in which the offender’s age was reported” (FBI-Uniform Crime Report, 2010).

        Additionally, according to preliminary data from the Arrestee Drug Abuse (ADAM) Program, a median of 59.7% of male juvenile detainees and 45.9% of female juvenile detainees tested positive for drug use in 2002 (Office of National Drug Control Policy).

        As is obvious, drug use by juveniles, although currently at a state of decline, is a major concern affecting all of society. While such an issue brings with it an exceeding large financial strain, it too has great affect on the future of our nation. As many have noted, the future of the U.S. is in the hands of our youth. To ensure a prosperous, thriving society, both economically and productively, this issue of juvenile drug use must be further researched and examined,  to assist in the reduction of such extreme numbers. As is the case for many issues, juvenile drug use is not likely to be stopped, it can however, be recognized as an issue that can be reduced.

        Possibly the most substantial method to reduce juvenile drug use and abuse, is to use a proactive approach, implementing further drug awareness programs into schools and communities, connecting with youth at their most influential ages.

        Reaching these youth at a time in which they are most influential, will not only help to reduce the number of youths becoming involved in illicit drug use, it in turn, will help in the reduction of youths needing treatment for such use, as well as lower the numbers of  those becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.

        This issue is not one at the sole responsibility of the government, moreover, it is the responsibility of ALL citizens within society.

        I ask you now to help reduce this issue. Do your part. Get involved.

Sources:

“DAWN.” Drug Abuse Warning Network. Drug Abuse Warning Network, 01 Jan 2001. Web. 14 Apr 2011.

https://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/default.asp.  

“Department of Health and Human Services.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. Web. 14 Apr 2011.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2K6NSDUH/2K6results.cfm.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigations.” FBI-Uniform Crime Report. Federal Bureau of      Investigations, 2010. Web. 14 Apr 2011.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr#ucr_cius.

Johnston, L.D., O’Malley, P.M., Bachman, J.G., & Schulenberg, J.E. (December 11, 2008). “Various stimulant drugs show continuing gradual declines among teens in 2008, most illicit drugs hold steady.” University of Michigan News Service: Ann Arbor, MI. Retrieved 10 Apr 2011 from

http://www.monitoringthefuture.org

  

“Juveniles and Drugs: Facts and Figures.” Office of National Drug Control Policy. Office of National Drug Control Policy, n.d. Web. 14 Apr 2011

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/juveniles/juvenile_drugs_ff.html.