Last week Dr. Claire McCarthy, MD, wrote a thought provoking blog regarding the increasing number of teens who are arrested before reaching the age of 23. Dr. McCarthy’s blog was in response to a study presented in Pediatrics (the medical journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), which stated that by age 23, 1 in 3 youth in the United States has been arrested for a non-traffic offense. I was asked to take a look at the blog and provide my opinion. Some of the people I happened to talk to thought the statistic was indeed alarming and that the data seemed unrealistic. After reading the article the abstract I can say that I agree with the findings – and here’s why.

I grew up just outside of Boston. I had a large graduating class, and over 80% of the students turning out to be successful individuals (i.e. went to college, joined the military, mastered a trade). Unfortunately, the other 20% of the students found themselves on the wrong side of the law, often abusing drugs, alcohol, or both. A lot of these students shared many of the problems Dr. McCarthy mentioned, including; unstable home lives, learning difficulties, and a family history of addiction.

Then there were another group of students who were arrested on DUI charges, but didn’t meet any of the criteria that Dr. McCarthy mentioned. This group of teens came from intact families with caring parents, high GPA’s and bright futures – futures which were destroyed after their decision to drink and drive.

I agree that the article in Pediatrics was a plea for pediatricians to help decrease the number of youth arrested, but like Dr. McCarthy said, a pediatrician can only do so much. Intervention needs to come from many sources, such as parents, mentors, teachers, youth groups, or other stable adults and programs. Communities need to develop programs for students when they have no where else to turn.

Unfortunately, government funding for programs such as these is hard to find, providing all the more reason to set-up support for students wherever it’s available. Although sometimes pediatricians are able to perform miracles, they’re people too, and can’t always do it on their own.  Remember, you can help if you see a friend or a loved one heading down the wrong path by speaking up, and finding resources that can help.

-Emily