RISKY DRUG PRACTICES AND TREATMENT NEEDS OF YOUTH DETAINED IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTERS

Demographic, drug use and criminal correlates of risky drug practices were examined among 279 detained youth in NSW Juvenile justice Centres , Binge drinking was common, with 63% reporting the consumption of at least five drinks in a row in the 2 weeks prior to incarceration. It w as associated with being older, being from an English-speaking backgro und, regular tobacco consumption and having a current drug problem, A quarter (24%) of the sample had injected an illicit drug, over one-thi rd (37%) of whom also reported sharing needles, Injectors were more li kely to be polydrug users, regular amphetamine users and have a past h istory of drug treatment. While 16% of the sample indicated a need for drug treatment, only 10% were currently receiving some form of treatm ent, most commonly counselling, Appropriate strategies are needed amon g this population to address gaps in treatment provision.