ELIMINATING (ALMOST) TREATMENT DROPOUT OF SUBSTANCE-ABUSING OR DEPENDENT DELINQUENTS THROUGH HOME-BASED MULTISYSTEMIC THERAPY

Objective: This study examined the effects of an innovative treatment model that was designed to reduce treatment dropout among substance ab using or dependent juvenile offenders. Method: One hundred eighteen de linquents who met diagnostic criteria for substance abuse or dependenc e were randomly assigned to receive either home-based multisystemic th erapy (N=58) or treatment that was provided by the usual community ser vices (N=60). Results: In the multisystemic therapy condition, 98% (N= 57) of the families completed a full course of treatment, which lasted an average of 130 days. In contrast, 78% (N=47) of the families assig ned to treatment through the usual community services received no ment al health or substance abuse treatment in the 5 months after referral. Conclusions: The serious and long-standing problem of high dropout ra tes in the substance abuse field can be greatly attenuated by services that increase accessibility and place greater responsibility for enga gement on service providers.