An integrated model for medical care, substance abuse treatment and AIDS prevention services to minority youth in a short-term detention facility

Delinquent youth represent a high risk group for contracting HIV infection. This article describes a prevention model that integrates HIV risk assessment and reduction activities with the provision of medical and substance abuse treatment services at a short-term detention center. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Public Health Service, this program links a university-based medical department, a juvenile probation department and a county medical/psychiatric department in service delivery. This paper discusses the implementation phase and summarizes the risk factors for the 750 youth served in the first two years of the program. Issues relating to the youth's ongoing medical needs, AIDS prevention needs, and interagency collaboration are addressed also.