A study to explore whether a multi-component psychosocial intervention can reduce substance use in adolescents who are involved in the criminal justice system in the UK

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
There is a body of research that provides clear evidence that young people are more at risk of harm from substance use than adults. The developing brain is more susceptible to the effects of alcohol and drugs and adolescents are more likely to develop harmful and dependent drug use in a shorter time than adults. The impact of alcohol and drug use in adolescence can have lifelong implications, increasing the chances of experiencing physical and mental health issues and social problems. Young people who have committed an offence are far more likely to be using alcohol and drugs than other young people and there is clear evidence that their use of drugs is associated with their criminal activity. Many young offenders are managed in the community and there is evidence that these young people are more at risk of suffering negative consequences of drug and alcohol use. While the youth justice system routinely looks for signs of problematic drug use in this population access to treatment to address their use can be difficult and many of those in need do not receive any treatment. The RISKIT-CJS intervention was developed to address the underlying issues associated with adolescent risk-taking. The aim of this study is to find out whether the RISKIT-CJS intervention is more effective at reducing substance abuse than standard care.

Who can participate?
Young people aged between 13 and 17 who are engaged with a Youth Offending Team on a community order.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups, where by one third take part in the RISKIT intervention and two thirds receive usual treatment. Those in group one receive treatment as usual for the duration of the study. Those in group two receive usual treatment as well as the RISKIT-CJS intervention. This is delivered over four sessions. The first session involves a face-to-face meeting to discuss substance use and risk taking behavior, to support behavior change and enhance motivation to change. The second session involves a four hour group session in which participants gain a better understanding of substance use and harms, triggers associated with substance use, minimizing risk, risk diversion and distraction, sexual health. The third session involves another four hour group session in which participants learn communication strategies, assertiveness training, anger management, mindfulness and future planning strategies. The final session is an hour-long individual session in which barriers to change, managing expectancy and enhancing self-efficacy are discussed. Participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaires at the start of the study and then again after six and 12 months to assess substance use and wellbeing.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Those who participate in the RISKIT programme are more likely to reduce their alcohol and drug use and manage their risk taking behaviour in a more appropriate ways leading to reductions in unprotected sex and criminal activity, all of which have implications for the future wellbeing of young people. There are no known risks involves with participating in this study.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from the University of Kent with satellite co-ordination centres based at Kings College, London and University of Teesside, and takes place in Youth Offending Teams located in the South East, London and Greater London and North East of England (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2016 to August 2019

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Simon Coulton
s.coulton@kent.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Simon Coulton
Scientific

Centre for Health Service Studies
University of Kent
Canterbury
Ct2 7NZ
United Kingdom

ORCID ID	0000-0002-7704-3274
Phone	+44 1227 824535
Email	s.coulton@kent.ac.uk

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• England
• United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Sponsor information

University of Kent
University/education

The Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
England
United Kingdom

Website	kent.ac.uk
"ROR"	https://ror.org/00xkeyj56

Funders

Funder type

Government

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Editorial Notes

31/05/2023: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
04/09/2017: Ethics approval information has been added.
14/03/2017: Publication reference added.