How The Juvenile Justice System Helps Adolescents With Drug Addiction Problems

Prior to 1889, teens who commit crime are tried and convicted the same way as adults. As social views started to change, amendments on how justice is served especially to minors were also included. The juvenile court was first created in 1889 and was supported by research that many juveniles are only youths that have lost their way and not hardened criminals. Terminologies in juvenile courts differ from regular court proceedings and verdict. For example, when a youth is presented in a juvenile court, he's asked to plead either "delinquent" or "not delinquent" rather than "guilty" or "not guilty". This is done in order to separate juveniles from hardened criminals.

The juvenile prison system works on the concept just like the rest of the justice system. It concentrates on giving rewards for good behavior instead of punishment for the bad. When a youth committed an offense and is being placed under a juvenile prison, he still has the opportunity to attend school and get a higher school diploma. There are many centers that also provide prisoners with jobs like an assistant or kitchen staff within the prison.

The causes of many juvenile offenses are varied. The most common causes involve poverty, family problems, pressure from peers and drug abuse. Data on juvenile offenses show that there's an overall increase on the rate of offenses associated with drug abuse and simple assaults. A study conducted for 5 years by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse revealed that four of every five teens and children between the ages of 10-17 were under the influence of drugs or alcohol while committing crime, test positive for drug addiction, arrested for committing a drug or alcohol offense, or share a mix of these traits. Surprising data revealed that out of the 1.9 million arrests of juvenile offenders with substance abuse or drug addiction problems, only 3.8% received any kind of treatment. The existence of drug treatment centers should have benefit many of these juveniles but only few seek treatment or sent to treatment. The issue of the juvenile system now involves neglect.

With data from the study, a complete overhaul is needed in order to address the problems with juveniles committing crime specifically in relation to substance abuse and drug abuse. Availability of drug rehabilitation programs is one great consideration in aiding juveniles overcome addiction and get back to a sober and drug-free life. Other than this, recommendations include training of all juvenile justice system employees, comprehensive in-home services, development of a state and national data system to establish baseline progress and expansion of grant programs so that appropriate services will be given to these juveniles.


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Ericka Lopez writes about topics related to drug treatment centers in Long Beach, to read more about her works visit drug treatment in Seattle


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