In January 2003, the nonprofit research institute Drug Strategies published a national guide to drug treatment programs for teens. The institute also established a companion Web site to the guide.

Key Results

• The guide, entitled Treating Teens: A Guide to Adolescent Drug Programs, provides parents and caregivers with concrete ways to assess treatment programs. It also includes:
  • A detailed description of the nine key elements that contribute to treatment effectiveness.
  • Summary profiles of 144 adolescent treatment programs with elements of effective treatment, and an in-depth look at seven promising programs.
  • Hotline numbers and Web site addresses for teen substance abuse treatment centers in each state.
  • Definitions of frequently used treatment terms.
• The companion Web site includes:
  • A searchable database with detailed profiles of the treatment programs summarized in the guide.
  • Research articles on adolescent substance abuse.

Funding
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided a two-year grant of $451,090 in 2001 to fund development of the guide and Web site.