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

When Cody Mills was a sophomore in high school, he started hanging out with what he calls the "wrong crowd" of athletes. He wanted to increase his muscle mass and overall performance, so he ordered steroids from an online pharmacy.

"...he is now sitting behind bars at the Orange County Jail. Mills recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possession of a dangerous drug. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and a $1,000 fine."

Though his strength and muscle mass did increase as a result of the drug, so did his temper. And now he's got 15 long days away from friends and family to ponder his decision and its consequences. Source: The Orange Leader (CA)

Labels: influences, juvenile_deliquents, peers

U.S. Senators from Vermont, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania have introduced a bill that would significantly change the nation's juvenile justice system.

"S3155 would encourage states to keep youth in juvenile facilities... look for ways to address racial disparities in the juvenile justice system, and tighten loopholes that allow judges to detain children who have committed nondelinquent status offenses - running away from home, truancy... and other infractions that are not crimes once the defendant is an adult."

Called the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act, the bill will be voted on by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, then - if it passes - be put to a full Senate vote.Source: Sentinel and Enterprise

Labels: juvenile_deliquents, juvenile_justice_system