Management in the Justice System Question Uploaded

Management in the Justice System

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Challenges in the justice system: Case management of drug crimes

Drug abuse represents one of the greatest challenges for any criminal justice professional. The question of whether drug abuse should be viewed as a medical issue, a criminal issue, or a unique combination of both remains hotly-debated question, particularly in regard to juvenile offenders. There are indications that the two are often interlinked: "research indicates that a relatively small group of serious and violent juvenile offenders who are also serious drug users accounts for a disproportionate amount (more than half, according to one national study) of all serious crimes committed by delinquents" (VanderWaal et al. 2001: 1). Given the chronic and addictive nature of drug abuse, these offenders often go on to commit more crimes as adults, unless the cycle is broken.

Case management is one of the most common techniques used to treat juvenile drug offenders. It allows for an integration of rehabilitation and drug treatment. "A key approach to interrupting the juvenile drug-crime cycle is an integrated case management strategy that coordinates the various service needs of youths from the time they enter the juvenile justice system until they no longer require supervision" (VanderWaal et al. 2001: 2). Ideally, interventions should take place before the juvenile becomes a hardened, repeat abuser and offender.

Counseling for non-institutionalized juveniles on parole can be effective, but not all programs are equally so: in general, behavioral modification programs show the strongest results, versus 'outward bound' or boot camp-style shock therapy. Consistent treatment is effective, which requires effective use of the criminal justice system's human resources to monitor the progress of youthful offenders (VanderWaal et al. 2001: 8-9). Most programs also have regular drug testing of the involved adolescents.

Rehabilitation programs for institutionalized drug offenders also use the case study format. As with outpatient programs, behavioral modification is often found to be the most effective approach and can "typically reduce recidivism by 34 to 38%" versus less effective wilderness programs or boot camps (VanderWaal et al. 2001: 10). Behavior modification is a short-term, reward-based strategy that sets goals for participants in terms of improving observable behaviors, rather than delving into past experiences. It has the advantage of being highly structured and enables goal-setting regarding improving general behaviors as well as specifically drug-related behaviors.