Drugs and the Youthful Police Informer
WERNER I. HALPERN M.D.1, and
ADELLE GORDON M.S.W.2
1 Director, Children and Youth Division, Rochester Mental Health Center, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14621
2 Psychiatric social worker, Children and Youth Division, Rochester Mental Health Center, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14621
The authors describe the problems of adolescents who gave false information to police about drug abuse in their communities. Such patients were invariably lonely and isolated from their families and peers; their informing gained them immediate response and approval from adults. Environmental change, while it may alleviate their problems, is difficult to achieve. Early detection can prevent later difficulties.
