Many youth and families are affected by substance use disorders. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2023, 48.5 million people aged 12 or older in the United States met the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Not surprisingly, the justice system encounters those suffering from SUD and must be ready to respond in a way that promotes public safety and offers effective solutions. This judicial bench card highlights ways a judge can identify adolescents needing treatment services, make referrals to qualified clinicians, engage individuals and families in a trauma-informed way, and provide motivation for successful treatment completion.

Authors: Juvenile Treatment Court Project, All Rise’s Treatment Court Institute

Date: 2024