Baltimore Youth Drug Treatment Reduces Arrests, Increases Retention at School and Work

Baltimore, Maryland, teenagers who received drug treatment last year demonstrated a 77 percent decrease in arrests and a 68 percent increase in employment and education, according to a recent survey by city health and drug treatment officials. Of those who returned to school or work, the retention rate was 89 percent.

Approximately 1,700 adolescents received treatment last year, most of whom were referred through the court system to one of seven Baltimore treatment programs. The majority of treated youth were male users of alcohol or marijuana.

This new information "bodes well for future reductions in crime and for the futures of those at risk for substance abuse," said Health Commissioner Dr. Peter L. Beilenson.

In Baltimore, about 80 to 90 percent of youth crimes are drug-related, and the median age for first-time heroin use is 19.

"We often wonder why does our population of adult addicts continue to grow -- that's the reason" said Jocelyn Gainer, coordinator of Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc., the city government branch that handles addiction treatment. "We need to put more money into treating our adolescents.

(6/3/2005)