Reclaiming Futures Top Posts of 2014

To celebrate 2014 as it comes to an end, here are Reclaiming Futures top five most popular blog posts of the year!

1. Watch: PBS Documentary “15 to Life”
   A new PBS Documentary “15 to Life” takes a close look at one man’s story to combat his life sentence after being convicted at age 15. Though Kenneth Young was convicted more than a decade ago for armed robbery, the S. Supreme Court ruled four years ago that a life in prison sentence without parole for a juvenile offender in a non-homicide case was unconstitutional.

2. For Young People Addicted to Painkillers, the Path Less Taken—Why?
   Mistakenly, many adolescents believe that Rx opioids are safe because they are prescribed by a doctor. But when abused, they can be as potent and as deadly as heroin. In fact, many teens and young adults who abuse Rx opioids move on to heroin abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls prescription drug abuse an "epidemic," and we see it as a public health issue that disproportionately impacts our kids.

3. The Emotional State of Poverty: A Powerful Photo Essay
   As a native of Troy who struggled with teen pregnancy, drugs and an unstable living environment, Kenneally returned to her hometown after getting sober and studying photojournalism to capture what she experienced as an emotional state of poverty.

4. End the Culture of Violence and Trauma: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Wants Your Ideas
   The Juvenile Law Center, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has released a report Trauma and Resiliencethat illustrates how systems and services can help children and families overcome the trauma they encounter.

5. Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
   Earlier this month, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), published a guide detailing a drug abuse approach that goes way beyond "Just Say No!" The guide, "Presents research-based principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment; covers treatment for a variety of drugs including, illicit and prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; presents settings and evidence-based approaches unique to treating adolescents."

Image from Creative Commons User Amodiovalerio Verde