NCJ Number
15688
Date Published
Unknown
Length
72 pages
Annotation
ASSESSMENT OF A PROJECT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN LOWER MERION, UPPER MERION, HAVERFORD, AND RADNOR TOWNSHIPS (PA).
Abstract
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES INCLUDED IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS, PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO YOUTH, AND THE REDUCTION OF CRIME. EIGHT STREETWORKERS, WORKING OUT OF FIVE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES, CONTACTED YOUTH IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS, RECREATION CENTERS, STREETS AND AGENCY PROGRAMS. YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AS 'TROUBLED' WERE PROVIDED SERVICES RANGING FROM INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING TO REFERRAL TO SPECIALIZED AGENCIES. EACH STREETWORKER SPENT TIME DAILY IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS OF THE FOUR TOWNSHIPS. THE PROGRESS OF YOUTHS CONTACTED BY THE STREETWORKERS WAS MONITORED THROUGH FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS EVERY SIX MONTHS. AMONG THE AREAS OF SOCIAL FUNCTIONING MEASURED WERE LIVING AND SCHOOL CIRCUMSTANCES, DRUG ABUSE, CONFRONTATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS. IT WAS FOUND THAT YOUTH, AS A WHOLE, WERE HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS AT HOME AND WITH DRUGS. MORE THAN HALF OF THE IDENTIFIED DRUG ABUSERS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL ABUSE. EVALUATION RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED NEW EMPHASES BY STREETWORKERS ON FAMILIES AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTS TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY SYSTEMS, AND MODIFICATIONS IN THE DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS. THIS EVALUATION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THE CONTINUATION OF THE STREETWORKER PROJECT. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS BOTH THE INTERIM AND THE PRELIMINARY SUMMER EVALUATION REPORTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)