Breaking the Chain: A Fresh Look at Juvenile Violence

Juvenile violence in Bernalillo County is a real issue. But, are these kids born violent? Probably not. The real problem seems to be family struggles and not enough community support. Locking them up might not be the best solution. It could even make things worse. Researchers found that bad stuff happening in childhood can lead to big problems later. Things like abuse, neglect, or seeing violence. New Mexico has the highest number of these bad experiences, called Adverse Childhood Events (ACES). Eighty percent of kids in state detention have four or more ACES. That's a lot of trauma. These experiences can lead to depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and even incarceration. It's a cycle that's hard to break. But, there are other ways to help. One program, High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW), uses community case managers to support families. It's not about locking kids up, but giving them the help they need. New Mexico has the resources to make this work. The Human Services Department, the Children, Youth and Families Department, and New Mexico State University all have pieces of the puzzle. They just need to come together. Another idea is to treat adults with a history of trauma while they're in prison. About half of them have kids, so helping them could break the cycle. It's time for policymakers and funders to use this data and provide the right services from birth to adulthood.