Use and Evaluation of Hair Analysis, Urinalysis, and Ion Mobility Spectrometry in a Juvenile Diversion Program in New Orleans, Final Report

摘要

This project was designed to support the development and implementation of a Juvenile Diversion Program modeled after the ongoing New Orleans (Adult) Diversion Program. Among the distinctive and unique features of this program are the combined use of three drug detection technologies; urinalysis, hair analysis, and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The Juvenile Diversion Program is modeled on the principles of the on-going Adult Diversion Program, but contains a number of unique and specific features that target the specific client juvenile population; young, primarily teenage, first-time criminal offenders who are involved in drug-abuse. This report describes in detail the conceptual basis of the juvenile diversion process, its specific operational character, the integration of the three drug testing technologies into the protocols of the program, and the results of the application of these technologies. The following key summary points apply to the substance of the main report: The Juvenile Diversion Program is an example of an important method for responding to drug-involved, arrested juveniles. The amount of drug use by criminally involved youth is substantial. There are large numbers of arrests of youth for drug crimes.