Not only is the use of controlled substances illegal for adolescents, it is also physiologically dangerous for their healthy growth and development. Treatment programs that take into account the emotional and physical development of adolescents are more effective than treatments that consider the adolescents as "little adults." In addition, targeting appropriate prevention and early intervention messages to adolescents has been shown to prevent them from developing substance abuse problems as they grow older.

Current Adolescent Treatment Picture
Since adults are seen as having more predictable treatment outcomes, adult services are often given first priority for funding. As a result, many local adolescent substance abuse treatment services have been eliminated. The closest appropriate services may be hundreds of miles away from home. And although it may not be the best option, incarceration is sometimes the only available option for adolescents who abuse substances. These treatment options alienate adolescents at a time in their psychological growth when social, interpersonal, and behavioral skills are developing.

Cost Effectiveness
Moving adolescent substance abuse services back into the local community can save money and lives now and in the future. Early intervention can prevent many adolescents from moving further into substance abuse. When these services are delivered in the community, the adolescents receive the messages in a safe, familiar environment.

Having a full continuum of care available near the adolescent's home is also more effective and efficient than incarceration or sending the adolescent out of the city or state for services. Incarcerating adolescents who abuse substances inhibits their psychological development more than the substance abuse problem does alone and may result in higher social service and judicial costs when these adolescents reach adulthood.

Improving Adolescent Services Capacity
To address the needs of adolescents who abuse substances, the Foundation will fund activities that help providers do the following:

• Demonstrate the need for adolescent substance abuse services
• Develop program capacity to address adolescent substance abuse treatment needs
• Develop programs that address the range of treatment types needed across our region
• Improve the quality of services by increasing the number of accredited providers and credentialed staff
• Demonstrate the efficacy of treating adolescents appropriately in the community