Provision of drug treatment services in the juvenile justice system: A system reform

This article proposes a systemic I reform of the organizational structure a nd delivery of substance abuse services for adolescents within the juvenile justice system. It first discusses the impact of substance use on the juve nile justice system and then reviews which drug treatment programs and serv ices are currently available. Following an evaluation of the mast effective drug treatment programs and modalities, recommendations for system reform are given. The recommendations are based on a graduated sanctions framework , supported by systems collaboration and comprehensive case management. Sys tems collaboration between service providers must exist for juvenile; to re ceive appropriate and comprehensive services. Case managers (CMs) both asse ss juveniles and help them move through and between judicial, drug treatmen t, and social service systems. lit this way, juveniles receive the most sui table and complete services a community can offer while remaining:firmly un der juvenile justice system supervision.