Exploring the Impact of Juvenile Drug Court on In-Program Substance Use and Program Outcome

• In Event: Specialty Courts and Considerations in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

Juvenile drug courts implement a diverse array of treatments and programs aimed at tackling the complex challenges faced by drug-using juveniles. Despite considerable research exploring the effectiveness of juvenile drug courts, prior studies have yielded mixed results. The current study seeks to investigate the influence of different interventions employed by a juvenile drug court program in disrupting the drug-crime cycle among its participants. Relying on administrative data from 630 individuals admitted to a juvenile drug court program in a midwestern city, this study assesses the impact of various program components—such as substance use treatment, supervision, and family-involved intervention—on in-program substance use and overall program outcomes, net of individual characteristics and risk factors. Policy implications are put forth as are directions for future research.

Authors

• Ahram Cho, New Mexico State University

• Jurg Gerber, Sam Houston State University