By Lori Howell, January 13 2012
Juvenile Justice Reform- Behind California’s Governor’s plan to close state’s juvenile justice system
The Bay Citizen:
For the second time in one year, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed permanently closing the Division of Juvenile Justice, a move that would make California the first state in the nation to eliminate its youth prison system and shift responsibility for the most dangerous young offenders to counties. - Kate Middleton’s new cause: addiction and recovery
LA Times:
Eight months after wedding England's Prince William, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton), has revealed she will become a patron of the British charity Action on Addiction, which supports research, prevention and treatment of addiction, support for addicts' families and the education and training of those working in the field. - Data: OJJDP releases delinquency cases in juvenile court fact sheet
This new fact sheet from the OJJDP presents statistics on delinquency cases processed between 1985 and 2008 by U.S. courts with juvenile jurisdiction for public order, person and property offenses and drug law violations. - Funding Award: Everychild gives $1 million to juvenile justice center
Centinela Youth Services, Inc. has been named the recipient of the $1 million 2012 Everychild Foundation grant. The funds will launch and sustain a restorative justice center across the street from three Los Angeles juvenile courts over a three-year period.
- Delayed by months, suicide-proof beds still not in cells at youth prison
An Illinois youth prison still does not have suicide-proof beds in rooms where kids on suicide watch are held. The installation has been plagued by delays. - Some juvenile cases to revert to youth court after adult court sets penalty
A new law in Ohio will send juveniles convicted of a non-mandatory offense in adult court to juvenile court before any adult sentence is served. This will allow the juvenile court another opportunity to determine whether the offender can be rehabilitated in the juvenile system. - Assaults, crowding plague Maryland’s youth detention facility
Price George’s County youth detention facility remains plagued by assaults, security lapses, crowding and understaffing, according to a new report. - Georgia lawmaker makes juvenile justice reform top priority
Rep. Wendall Willard, R-Sandy Springs, said one of his priorities for the session is to reform the state’s juvenile justice system. “Our juvenile code has not been really updated in 40 years,” Willard said. “I think we maybe lock them up too quickly instead of trying to find ways in the community to address problems they’re facing.” - Op-ed: Keep teens out of adult criminal court
Chicago Times: Illinois needs to change the law so that children and teenagers cannot be charged as adults when the only evidence against them is an unreliable, uncorroborated confession. And when DNA evidence is available, it should be tested before any juvenile is transferred to adult court.
Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment
- Scarcity of ADHD drugs points to larger problem
LA Times:
In what the National Institute on Drug Abuse calls a "cause for alarm," abuse of prescription stimulants is also becoming more prevalent in high school. An institute survey of 45,000 students found abuse of stimulants had increased among high school seniors, from 6.6% to 8.2%, just in the last two years.
- Did you participate in Recovery Month? Enter contest
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is pleased to acknowledge the efforts of those who planned and organized events for National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) . Through SAMHSA’s Recovery Month Annual Event Award Program application, you can self-select your event for award consideration. - Black-tar heroin making big comeback
The Herald Weekly:
Law enforcement officials have seen the surge in demand for black-tar heroin beginning about five years ago, coinciding with the rising abuse of prescription drugs. Those abusing prescription drugs – and ultimately heroin – are more often than not young people from middle- to high-income families, according to Jeffrey W. Ferris, group supervisor for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, who is leading the High Intensity Drug Task Force. - Podcast: Helping your kids avoid drugs and alcohol
Drugfree.org Research shows that kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use. This podcast, presented by CIGNA and The Partnership at Drugfree.org, presents practical advice on how to effectively communicate with your teens to help them avoid drugs and alcohol, including whether or not to bring up your own history with these substances. - Impulsive and aggressive college students who drink heavily are high risk for alcohol problems
In a national survey of undergraduates, roughly six percent met criteria for current alcohol dependence, and approximately 31 percent met criteria for current alcohol abuse. While many undergraduates "mature out" of heavy alcohol use after graduation, a minority will continue to abuse alcohol and be at risk for alcohol-related problems. - Anti-smoking efforts target teens as well as adults
Addiction doesn't have age limits, which is why Tobacco Free Florida's 24-hour smoking cessation hot-line prepares for calls from people as young as 11. The American Cancer Society's Quit Now line is ready to work with smokers age 13 and older. The quit coaches, who are on the phone or online, learn about the smoker's habits and suggest age-appropriate strategies. For example, prescription drugs or patches might not be necessary for a youth, White said.
Events + Webinars
- Telephone Seminar: Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Drugfree.org Parents and family play a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of their teen’s drug and alcohol problems. During this phone session, experts will discuss how teen substance abuse treatment and recovery involve the whole family.
When: January 18, 2012
Time: 1 pm (EDT)
Join: For U.S./Canada residents, dial the toll-free number 1 (866) 431-5314 and international residents dial the toll-free number 1 (719) 457-2626. When prompted, enter the passcode 602873. - Conference: Addressing the needs of multi-system youth
"Strengthening the Connection Between Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice" will bring together practitioners, policymakers, consumers, researchers, advocates, foundation program officers, and students from across the country interested in learning about and adopting policies and practices designed to better address the needs of youth known to multiple systems, particularly the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
When: March 1, 2012
Where: Washington, D.C.
Register: Online by January 31, 2012
Lori Howell is a Senior Associate at Prichard Communications. She is a seasoned public affairs practitioner with a background in public policy, fundraising, and education. Lori helps clients with online editorial services, media relations, and publications. Before joining Prichard Communications, she served as chief of staff for Greg Macpherson, a former Oregon state legislator, an account executive for the Northwest Evaluation Association, a nonprofit educational testing consortium, and once taught English in Choshi, Japan.
Updated: February 08 2018