Local Implementation of Drug Policy and Access to Treatment Services for Juveniles

Although there is a vigorous national debate regarding effective drug policy, such policies are implemented at the local level. Using a national sample of prosecutors, we examine reported typical processing for first-time juvenile marijuana, cocaine, or crack possession/sales offenders. The relation...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M. (Author) ; McBride, Duane C. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:Undetermined language
Published: 2004
In: Crime & delinquency
Year: 2004, Volume: 50, Issue: 1, Pages: 60-87
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Summary:Although there is a vigorous national debate regarding effective drug policy, such policies are implemented at the local level. Using a national sample of prosecutors, we examine reported typical processing for first-time juvenile marijuana, cocaine, or crack possession/sales offenders. The relationship between drug offense charge and adjudication outcomes providing treatment versus a deterrence/punitive approach is explored. Findings indicate that marijuana offenses and possession offenses generally are more likely to result in access to treatment services for juveniles whereas cocaine/crack offenses and sales offenses generally are more likely to result in the application of punitive penalties such as transfer to criminal court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Physical Description:Online-Ressource
ISSN:1552-387X
DOI:10.1177/0011128703258873