In Mercer County, West Virginia, a team of judges presides over Mercer County Juvenile Drug Court, a program designed to keep troubled teenagers out of jail while simultaneously pointing them in right direction.

A Nov. 6 article in the Princeton Times provided the following details about the innovative effort:

The coercive, community corrections alternative to detention time requires defendants to plead guilty to their non-violent, drug-related offenses and consent to face time in a correctional facility if they're expelled from the program.

Juvenile Drug Court, which accepts defendants ages 10-17, is built on the idea that drug-related crimes can be prevented if teens kick their drug habits while they're still young enough to plot a different future. ...

In order to get into the Teen Drug Court program, a defendant must first be referred to the treatment team with a documented history of drug use or abuse. From there, the team, driven by Teen Drug Court Coordinator Tina Rose, examines the defendant's alleged offenses to ensure the defendant is not accused of a violent crime or one that involves a sex-related motive. ...

Each participant starts the four-phase program seeing the judge and Southern Highlands counselor at least once weekly. In addition, Rose makes one scheduled visit to the juvenile's home each week, and she makes it a point to drop in unannounced once to check on the participants' progress when they aren't expecting an evaluation.

Labels: courts, juvenile_justice_system

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The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the fight against teen substance abuse cannot include strip-searches in cases that don't involve reasonable suspiscions or risks of imminent danger.

The victor in the case was Savana Redding, an Arizona teenager who was 13 years old when she was strip-searched by school personnel.

School authorities suspected that Redding was bringing an over-the-counter painkiller (Advil) to Safford Middle School, and supplying friends with it. The school principal made Savana submit to a search that included removing her undergarments. No drugs were found.

"What was missing from the suspected facts that pointed to Savana was any indication of danger to the students from the power of the drugs or their quantity, and any reason to suppose that Savana was carrying pills in her underwear," Justice David Souter wrote in the majority opinion.

The justices who dissented said that the decision could work against school authorities who trying to keep drugs out of their schools.

Labels: prescription drugs, courts

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A concerned mom wrote to Dr. Michael Levy of the Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Massachusetts), seeking advice regarding her son who has struggled with substance abuse for several years. Now that he's almost 18, and nothing has worked, mom is wondering what else she can do. Dr. Levy responds:

"First, you can petition the court to commit him to inpatient treatment for his alcohol and drug use... If the judge believes that your son's use of drugs and alcohol is so severe that it is endangering his life, the judge can order a commitment not to exceed 30 days so he can get treatment."

Dr. Levy acknowledged that while programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are excellent, they don't work for everyone. He also stressed the importance of getting whatever help is available for the woman's son. Source: Eagle-Tribune (MA)

Labels: young_adults, treatment, courts

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

Their ages, levels of education and family histories may vary, but one thing South Dakota's Drug Court participants have in common is an on-going issue with substance abuse. Participants are referred to Drug Court by state attorneys, social workers and other.

"Once in the program, their lives are intensively scrutinized, strictly monitored and highly directed. If participants progress, they can earn rewards, which may include reduced scrutiny, more individual choices and, ultimately, graduation from the program..."

Participants also have to submit to weekly drug testing, and many have to appear before the court at least once a week. The program is strict, but gets results, experts say. Source: Rapid City (SD) Journal

Labels: courts, juvenile_deliquents

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In March, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds signed legislation enabling the creation of a drug court pilot program for Meade County. Now that court is preparing to take its first cases.

"[Fourth Circuit Judge Jerome] Eckrich said the program works on two basic assumptions - the district has to accept that there is a substance abuse problem in the area and that the underlying problem of addiction must be resolved to reduce the rate of relapse."

The program is essentially an intense intervention on behalf of the substance abuser. A probation officer will closely monitor the participant's life, including who the person spends time with. At the same time, an individualized treatment plan in put into place. Read more at ZWire.com.

Adolescent substance abuse is an alarming problem in this country. Teen-Help-Directory.com offers treatment programs and information about adolescent substance abuse.

Labels: recovery, courts, relapse

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