Brandn Green and Frances Kim of JG, in collaboration with David “Chipper” Dean of the National Cancer Institute, published a paper in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The paper used the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Episode Data Set to describe patterns in substance use and treatment utilization among youth (aged 12–24 years) who are also experiencing homelessness. The study focuses on the years of 1992 and 2017. The results found that homeless youth had higher odds than housed youth to self-refer for treatment; to enroll in treatment for cocaine/crack, heroin, or methamphetamine; and to receive treatment in 24-hour detoxication facilities or long-term residential facilities. This analysis provides an example of treatment utilization patterns by youth who are experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder, and can be used in establishing better structures for youth admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities. The full paper can be accessed here.
