Working Paper: NBER ID: w9952
Authors: Alison Evans Cuellar; Sara Markowitz; Anne M. Libby
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse treatment in reducing crimes committed by juveniles. The observed high correlations between crime, substance abuse and poor mental health suggests that factors which reduce substance abuse and improve mental health may also be effective in reducing criminal activities. This paper uses detention data in conjunction with substance abuse and mental health treatment data for youth enrolled in the Colorado state foster care program. We analyze the impact of treatment in delaying or preventing this group of at-risk youth from engaging in criminal behavior. Results show a negative effect, i.e., longer duration before detention, for youth who receive treatment and for youth in areas with high treatment rates.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: I0; K4
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| higher alcohol prices (R48) | violent offenses (K42) |
| availability of treatment services (I11) | detention hazards for all offenses (K40) |
| availability of treatment services (I11) | detention hazards for violent offenses (K40) |
| mental health and substance abuse treatment (I12) | juvenile crime (K42) |
| mental health and substance abuse treatment (I12) | duration before detention (C41) |