Nearly two million children under age 18 were arrested in 2006¹. That large number may surprise many people. Sadly, research shows there is a direct connection between young people who end up in trouble with the law and are also abusing drugs and alcohol. The National Center on Addiction at Substance Abuse at Columbia University reveals four out of five teens in the juvenile justice system are under the influence of alcohol or drugs while committing their crimes.

Further, this research shows four out of five also test positive for drugs, are arrested for committing an alcohol or drug offense, admit having substance abuse problems or share some combination of these characteristics.²

These teens in trouble come from many walks of life, are disproportionately from low-income areas and communities of color, and often have other problems besides drug or alcohol abuse, such as coming from abusive or neglectful families.

They often suffer from mental problems as well. Nearly 85 percent of youth treated for substance abuse problems, also have a mental health disorder.³

Clearly, these young people are in need of help. Yet many go without treatment. In 2006, more than 21 million people ages 12 or older needed treatment for a drug or alcohol problem and did not receive it at a specialty substance abuse facility.⁴

And even when substance abuse treatment and mental health services exist, they may not be coordinated from one provider to the next. This lack of cooperation among service agencies often leaves teens shuffled around between fragmented services that aren't as effective as they should be. This is too bad because researchers have found that teens that receive coordinated comprehensive services are more likely to stay out of trouble and abstain from drug and alcohol use.

Plus, studies shows treatment works. Research suggests that treatment can cut drug abuse in half, drastically decrease criminal activity, and significantly reduce arrests.⁵ And it’s particularly affective for young people. For example, youth participating in the national Adolescent Treatment Models initiative showed reduction in substance abuse three months following treatment, particularly among youth who stayed in residential treatment.⁶

Substance abuse among teens in trouble with crime affects all of us, and our pocketbooks, when it goes untreated. Whereas treating addiction can save our communities money. For every dollar spent on addiction treatment programs, $4 to $7 is saved on drug-related crimes.⁷

It’s an investment overdue. Every dollar spent on drug treatment is estimated to return more than $18 in benefits to the community.⁸

It’s time to help these teens overcome drugs, alcohol, and crime by creating, offering and coordinating all the services they need. This approach will help reduce crime, save all of us money, and make communities safer.

¹ Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2007). Crime in the United States 2006, [Table 38]. Available online. Washington, DC: Author.

² The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. (2004). Criminal Neglect: Substance Abuse, Juvenile Justice and The Children Left Behind. [On-line]. Retrieved July 8, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.casacolumbia.org/ViewProduct.aspx?PRODUCTID={5E764135-2E2E-449c-9BDB-4075D2B6CB64}

³ Huang, L.N. (2004). Transforming mental health care for children and families, [Networks. Special Edition, Volume 8, Issues 3 & 4]. Available online. Alexandria, VA: National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning

⁴ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-32, DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville, MD

⁵ The National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES): Highlights. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 97-3159. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Office of Evaluation, Scientific Analysis and Synthesis, pp. 241–242. 1997.

⁶ Dasinger, L, Shane P, Martinovich Z. Assessing the Effectiveness of Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 36(1): 85-94, 2004.

⁷ National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2006. NIDA InfoFacts: Treatment approaches for drug addiction. pgs 1-2. Online at www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/InfoFacts/Treatment06.pdf

⁸ Aos, Steve, Marna Miller, and Elizabeth Drake. 2006. Evidence-based public policy options to reduce future prison construction, criminal justice costs, and crime rates. Olympia: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Online at www.wsipp.wa.gov