Blog: Assessment

Girls and Opioids: Vulnerabilities & Opportunities

By Reclaiming Futures, September 06 2017

In two separate blog posts in 2016, we discussed opioid use rates and substance use issues among adolescent girls involved with juvenile justice. In July 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (OWH) released a report on opioid use, misuse, and overdose in women. The report provides information on the gender-specific issues and gaps in knowledge regarding females with substance use concerns/disorders. The report discusses the differences among females and males regarding the progression of substance use, the biological, social, and cultural issues (e.g., pain; relationships; family/parenting; trauma, determinants of health), effective treatments and barriers to implementation, and areas for further research. As it relates to adolescent girls (ages 12-17 years old), the report indicates they are more likely to use and become dependent on non-medical uses of prescription drugs as compared to adolescent boys. Access to prescription drugs can come from a home medicine cabinet and may help relieve mental health or physical pain symptoms and/or be part of their peer culture.

Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, annual report, Assessment, Culture, Equity, Evidence-Based Practices, Family Involvement, Gender-Specific, Girls, juvenile courts, Juvenile Treatment Drug Court, opiate, Reclaiming Futures, recovery, research, SBIRT

banner

Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health

By Bridget Murphy, February 21 2017

There are so many noteworthy aspects to the “first ever” Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. For example, it is grounded in the best evidence available to date and it examines issues of neurobiology, prevention, treatment, recovery, and health care systems. It also has educational and promotional materials such as fact sheets and social media ideas and resources. If you have not reviewed it – now is the time. It’s my understanding that additional fact sheets are forthcoming including one on criminal/juvenile justice populations. As such, keep visiting the website for updates and let’s keep talking about this report and its importance to individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance misuse and/or disorders.

Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Assessment, Prevention, Public Policy, Reclaiming Futures, reports, Resources, SAMHSA

“Read All About It” - Research Findings Published!

By Bridget Murphy, July 21 2016

Reasons why I am proud to write this blog post...

Reason 1: My former colleagues (and friends) at The University of Arizona, Southwest Institute for Research on Women (UA SIROW) (UA SIROW) have been leading the efforts on the national evaluation of Juvenile Drug Courts and Juvenile Drug Courts blended with Reclaiming Futures (JDC/RF).  UA SIROW collaborated with Chestnut Health Systems and Carnevale Associates, LLC to implement a comprehensive evaluation that included data from Juvenile Drug Courts, Juvenile Drugs Courts blended with Reclaiming Futures, and non-justice related intensive adolescent outpatient programs. The purpose was to examine processes, outcomes, and costs.

Topics: Adolescent Mental Health, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Assessment, Community Engagement, Disproportionate Minority Contact, NDCI, OJJDP, Public Policy, Reclaiming Futures, research, strength-based, treatment court

Fit for Trial in the Juvenile Justice System (and More) -- News Roundup

By Lori Howell, September 16 2011

Topics: Adolescent Mental Health, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Assessment, Evidence-Based Practices, Funding, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box