Gender differences in the perception of drug user treatment: assessing drug user treatment for youthful offenders.

The present study sought to determine whether gender-specific differences existed in the perception of drug user treatment services delivered at a residential substance misuse treatment program operated by a large youth correctional agency in the western United States. Hypothesized gender differences in perceptions of treatment services and treatment-related needs were confirmed in a number of areas such as treatment engagement, counseling needs, and postrelease concerns. Findings of this exploratory study underscore the need to consider gender-specific issues in correctional substance misuse treatment for young offenders.