2. Reported in 2008, 60.6 percent of juveniles between the ages of 12 to 17 were
dependent on or abused drugs as age increased these numbers began to taper
down.
37.4 percent of juveniles between the ages of 18 to 25 and 24. 3 percent of adults aged 26 or older
(SAMHSA, 2012).
2010 trends of incarcerated juveniles were reported at 779,700 juveniles
between the ages of 18-29 either in jail or prison (SAMHSA, 2012).
The overall cost for juvenile incarceration is approximately $14.4 billion per
year (CASA, 2010).
Juvenile costs for substances use, $68 billion per year.
Equivalent to $2280 a year per each juvenile in the US (CASA, 2010).
The therapeutic approach of human-canine interaction prove to assist those
with building skills, increasing competence and confidence, facilitating
healthy attachment, and strengthening of emotional and behavioral regulation
(Project POOCH, 2012).
MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility’s Project POOCH
Dr. Merriam from Pepperdine University studied the program for three years and of the
juveniles she interviewed reported a zero percent recidivism rate (Project POOCH, 2012).
3. Program goal:
• Reduce recidivism through object relations
attachment vs. traditional substance abuse therapy.
• Use alternate treatment to encourage other coping
mechanisms beyond substances
• Change the juveniles bond from a substance to a
living being
• Provide unwanted animals with a forever home
• Train juveniles how to care for another as a way to
prepare for adulthood
• Teach the juveniles responsibilities through feeding,
cleaning and monitoring animals
• Encourage teamwork
4. Program is offered to youth throughout their
incarceration; minimum stay is 6 months and the
maximum stay is length of incarceration.
Housing maximum for the pilot will be 20 inmates
Estimated program cost is $200,000 for a two year
pilot project in one youth facility. Ideally a youth
facility with an in place substance abuse program
looking for a contract renewal, allowing this program
to be implemented without structural change.
Staff includes
Two counselors
Three therapists
One program director
Support officer staff – provided by the facility
Two mentors
One vocational instructors
Teens are linked with an animal where they are
responsible for the daily care and training. Upon
departure the teen has the option to take or leave the
animal.
Mandatory monthly drug testing; urinalysis, hair
follicle, etc.
5. Project POOCH. (2012). Our mission: Research. Retrieved on 5/12/2012:
http://www.pooch.org/about.php#research
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Columbia
University. (2010). Adolescent substance use: America’s #1 public health
problem. Retrieved on 5/12/2012:
http://www.casacolumbia.org/upload/2011/20110629substanceuseslide
s.pdf.