Free Talk
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Drug abuse
Alcohol abuse
Juvenile delinquency
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Outpatient - Justice and Sentence Enforcement Services
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a group motivational interviewing program for adolescents aged 14 to 18 with first offenses related to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. The aim is to prevent negative consequences of adolescent substance use, such as unprotected sexual activity, impacts on cognitive development, physical and mental health, and engagement in offending behavior.
The program is an alternative to court processing and consists of six sessions that involve a joint analysis of the pros and cons of alcohol and drug abuse and abstinence or reduction, an assessment of the young person’s readiness for treatment, and the provision of rehabilitation services.

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment found no statistically significant effects on the frequency or abusive consumption of alcohol and cannabis, the consequences associated with said consumption, on criminal recidivism and juvenile delinquency [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] D'Amico, E. J., Hunter, S. B., Miles, J. N. V., Ewing, B. A. & Osilla, K. C. (2013). A randomized controlled trial of a group motivational interviewing intervention for adolescents with a first time alcohol or drug offense. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 45(5), 400–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2013.06.005

Information source