NCJ Number
128795
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is developing a training program for juvenile intake staff, probation officers, and aftercare workers in contact with juveniles to teach drug recognition process techniques.
Abstract
The systematic evaluation process is based on a variety of observable signs and symptoms known to reliably indicate drug impairment. The evaluation process distinguishes seven broad categories of drugs: central nervous system stimulants, central nervous system depressants, hallucinogens, narcotic analgesics, phencyclidine, cannabis, and inhalants. Professionals who implement the drug recognition techniques are instructed to follow 12 steps. The first step is to take a drug history followed by the administration of a breath alcohol test. The professional should then perform the preliminary examination, examine the eyes, administer the divided-attention psychophysical tests, and perform the dark room examination. The final steps include examining vital signs, examining muscle rigidity, looking for injection sites, interviewing the juvenile, forming an opinion, and requesting a toxicological examination. The techniques have a broad range of applications in the juvenile justice system at intake and during field or institutional supervision.