Offender Ethnicity and Juvenile Court Referrals to Substance Abuse Services

Abstract

Courts play a critical role in facilitating access to alcohol, drug, and mental health services for juvenile offenders. This research examines the court's decision to refer offenders to A&D services and whether offender ethnicity affects this rehabilitative response. Results suggest ethnicity has no effect on treatment recommendations independent of its relationship to other variables. Rather, ethnicity modifies the effect offense type has on the treatment referral decision. Specifically, Blacks arrested for A&D offenses are significantly less likely than their White counterparts to be referred to care. Distinctions in drug laws seem to limit access to A&D services for Blacks.

Citation

Breda, C.S. (2005), "Offender Ethnicity and Juvenile Court Referrals to Substance Abuse Services", Hartwell, S.W. (Ed.) The Organizational Response to Persons with Mental Illness Involved with the Criminal Justice System (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 12), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 91-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-1152(05)12005-5