This report describes evaluation research activities and findings in an assessment of the Chemical Dependency (CD) Program located at the New Mexico Youth Diagnostic and Development Center (YDDC).
The evaluation research involved the collection of information from two data sources: in-depth, open-ended interviews with CD Program staff and counselors, YDDC administrators, juvenile probation administrators and officers, and CD Program participants; and comprehensive extraction of information from CD Program records, school, and main file documents at YDDC, as well as probation department case folders. This information was used to describe the process of service delivery and compare treatment outcomes between CD Program participants, a comparison group of nonparticipants who were identified with significant drug-use histories, and a comparison group with limited drug-use histories. Findings show that the program has had a problematic existence during the contract period, marked by high turnover among staff, restructuring, conflict with YDDC personnel, inconsistent client recruitment and assignment to treatment, and lack of communication with external juvenile justice professionals and treatment providers. This report offers recommendations for refining and developing the program. Recommendations include structurally integrating the program within YDDC, developing a broader network of services with community-based juvenile justice professionals and treatment providers, implementing a comprehensive drug assessment process and rational assignment to treatment for all YDDC residents, developing systematic drug interventions for YDDC residents, and improving documentation of service delivery and institutional performance. 22 tables