Whitehead: Juvenile Justice, 7th Edition

1. What steps should you take to deal with this?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

You should investigate. One issue is to determine if the allegations are true Assuming that the charges are true, a second issue is what drugs are involved.



2. Some parents want you to start a D.A.R.E. program in school. How would you respond?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

As the chapter discusses, D.A.R.E. is not effective. So you can communicate this to the parents. There are other prevention programs that are effective (see the book chapter).



3. Other parents are urging you to start drug testing of all students. What is your response?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

As discussed in Chapter 9, drug testing of all students is not permitted. The Supreme Court has ruled that drug testing of students in extracurricular activities is constitutional but such authorization does not extend to all students.

Case Study 2

You are the Juvenile Probation Director in Lincoln County. The County Sheriff is a crusader against all drug use, including marijuana. As a result, a significant percentage of the juveniles on probation were arrested and petitioned to Juvenile Court for marijuana possession. You are concerned that such drug cases are taking up an excessive amount of time and resources in the Probation Department.

Questions

1. The local newspaper is planning to run a three-part story on drug use in the area and how the Lincoln County Probation Department is supervising youths on probation for drug possession. How would you characterize the problem of drug use by youths in your area?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

You would note that drug use is illegal for youths. But you would also use the national statistics discussed in the chapter to put the matter in context. You would note, for example, that much youthful use is experimental and that use of the most dangerous drugs is low. You might add that some, including some prominent leaders, call for full discussion of all alternatives.



2. The newspaper has heard of programs such as D.A.R.E. and will write about them in the series. How do you comment on this?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

You explain that D.A.R.E. has not been very successful. You note that there are effective drug treatment programs for youths who become problem users.



3. Billy is a 16-year-old on probation for marijuana possession. You are his probation officer. You have a good counseling relationship with him, and he expresses his opinion that marijuana should be legalized or decriminalized. How do you proceed in your sessions with him? Do you say you agree? Do you not share your opinion with him? How do you counsel him to follow the law despite reservations he and you both have about the current legal status of marijuana? What if Billy discloses that he obtained the marijuana from his parents because his parents are strong proponents of changing the law on marijuana possession? How would this factor affect your probation sessions with Billy?
Your Answer

Correct Answer

You would note that drug use is illegal for youths. You would respect the opinions of his parents, but you would remind both Billy and his parents of the illegal status of marijuana. You could suggest to his parents that if they are serious about their beliefs, perhaps they should engage in political action to change state law. You would also note any possible health concerns for a teenage user of drugs compared to the risks for an adult user.

Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.