A Comparative Analysis of Juvenile Court Responses to Drug and Alcohol Offenses

Abstract

The traditional rehabilitation-oriented juvenile justice system handled drug and alcohol users with greater leniency than persons involved in any other kind of offense, including other status offenses. Shifts toward an accountability, “justice” orientation, such as that which occurred in Washington State, however, may be accompanied by increased sanctions for juveniles who commit these or other kinds of “victimless” offenses. I discuss pros and cons of three policy alternatives: continuing with the current system in which drug and alcohol use are categorized as misdemeanors, diverstiture of court jurisdiction, or diversion into the mental health system.