Empowering Youth to Make Resnonsible Decisions

While many substance abuse treatment programs singularly strive for abstinence, this may fail to deal with the underlying problems. [...]instead of requiring youth to pledge to never use substances, the goal is to have them reflect on the role of drugs in their lives. While many respectful methods can build on a shared value base, it is a mistake to mix PPC with coercive methods such as punishment-based behavior modification or highly confrontive peer group interventions. [...]if he was found to have used drugs, his probation officer would likely seek further legal action through the court system.