FYI: At-Risk Youth

Although adolescence is best viewed positively as a time of decision making and commitment rather than a time of crisis and pathology, for a large subset of adolescents it is a time of risk. This risk limits the likelihood that they will become successful, productive adults.

Four key aspects of risk are delinquency, substance abuse, unprotected sex and adolescent pregnancy, and school-related problems (Dryfoos, 1990). Estimates are that as many as 25 percent of adolescents have three or more of these problems.

A number of programs for helping individuals navigate adolescence have been established. However, two types of programs have had greater success than others (Dryfoos, 1990):

• Individual attention. At-risk youth are paired with a responsible adult who pays attention to the adolescent's specific needs. For example, in substance abuse programs, a student-assistance counselor might be available full-time for individual counseling. In delinquency prevention, a family worker might give "intensive" support to a predelinquent and the family so that they will make the necessary changes to avoid repeated delinquent acts. School counselors can play an important role in detecting which students need individualized psychological services and intervention.
• Community-wide services. The basic concept is that improving the lives of at-risk youth requires a number of interrelated programs and services (O'Donnell & others, 1999). For example, a substance abuse program might feature community-wide health promotion through local media and community events, in conjunction with a substance abuse prevention curriculum in the schools. Delinquency problems might be addressed by a neighborhood development program in which local residents work with schools, police, courts, gang leaders, and the media.