Early Intervention for Minors in Possession of Alcohol/Drugs: A Feasibility Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate two brief, sustainable interventions for a sample of 280 adolescents charged with an initial drug-related offense: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) intervention for youth and the Parenting Wisely (PW) intervention for parents. Families are assessed for adolescent substance use, HIV-risk, recidivist substance-related offenses, treatment entry, and other areas of individual and family functioning. It is expected that the combined MET+PW interventions will be more effective than a treatment-as-usual intervention (drug education group) for adolescents with parents not participating in PW.

Detailed Description
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Illicit substance use and related problems among adolescents has been consistently high over the past decade and remains one of the most pressing public health concerns in the United States. The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot investigation of the feasibility and effectiveness of two brief empirically based treatments for adolescent substance abuse when implemented as early interventions for youth arrested and charged with first- or second-offense possession of alcohol or drugs. The two examined interventions are Motivational Enhancement therapy (MET) and Parenting Wisely (PW). Over a one-year period, 280 adolescents and their parents will be referred to the study by the Juvenile Justice Centers in two Oregon counties within the Portland metro area. Families will be randomized to one of four intervention conditions; youth will receive either MET or a drug education intervention (EDUC), and the PW intervention for parents is present or absent. Participants will be assessed for adolescent substance use, HIV-risk, recidivist substance-related offenses, treatment entry, and other areas of individual and family functioning at intake and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Official Title
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Early Intervention for Minors in Possession of Alcohol/Drugs: A Feasibility Study

Conditions
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Substance Use Disorder, Delinquency

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Motivational Enhancement Therapy /Adol and PW for parents
* Other: Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents
* Other: Drug Education for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents
* Other: Drug Education for adolescents


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 13 - 17 years of age Referral for a 1st or 2nd Minor in Possession (Alcohol) or Less Than an Ounce (Marijuana) offense Adolescents living at home with at least one parent willing to participate in the study Adolescents with sufficient English-language ability to permit participation in the interventions Parent(s) with sufficient English- or Spanish-language ability to complete the English- or Spanish-language versions of PW and the assessment Exclusion Criteria: Evidence of psychotic or organic state of sufficient severity to interfere with understanding study procedures Danger to self and/or services other than outpatient treatment are required

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 13 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: TX1<br>Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents | Other: Motivational Enhancement Therapy /Adol and PW for parents<br>* Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents<br>* Other names: MET / PW;|
| Experimental: TX 2<br>Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents | Other: Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents<br>* Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adolescents<br>* Other names: MET;|
| Experimental: TX3<br>Drug Education for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents | Other: Drug Education for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents<br>* Drug Education for adolescents, Parenting Wisely for parents<br>* Other names: EDUC / PW;|
| Experimental: TX4<br>Drug Education for adolescents | Other: Drug Education for adolescents<br>* Drug Education for adolescents<br>* Other names: EDUC;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adolescent Substance Use and Related Problems | The questionnaire used is called the Time Line Follow Back. | Change from Baseline at 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dysfunctional Discipline Practices | The questionnaire used to obtain this information is called Parenting Scale. | Change from Baseline at 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Teens, Parenting, Substance Abuse, Treatment Efficacy