The Adolescent Treatment Initiative (ATI) began its fifth year in October.  ATI is a five year demonstration project seeking to increase the quality and quantity of adolescent outpatient treatment with a focus on adopting evidence based treatment.  ATI has been successful thanks to the commitment of several New Hampshire treatment agencies and the dedication of some of the finest clinicians our state has to offer!  Over one thousand youth have been referred to ATI with 580 participating in evidence based treatment. On average, youth completed 8 sessions of treatment at a cost of $3,990 per youth.  Sixty percent of youth completed treatment, well above national averages. 

Prior to treatment, 70% of youth reported problems related to their substance use.  Six months post-treatment-entry, only 47% were reporting similar problems.  At 6-months post–treatment-entry, only 23% of youth reported substance use patterns indicating high risk problems. Nearly 70% of youth reported clinically relevant symptoms of general mental distress (i.e.: depression, anxiety) at intake compared to 45% six months post treatment entry. 

ATI will continue for another year, but New Futures’ oversight will end in December 2009.  The adolescent treatment providers have successfully implemented evidence based treatment and no longer need the coaching or support of New Futures’ staff.  Look for more updates in the future!  www.new-futures.org/other-initiatives/adolescent-treatment-initiative.html