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Juvenile Drug Court is an alternative sentencing program for juvenile offenders who have drug-related offenses. Staff involved in this program work toward reducing recidivism among participants in our program and providing them with problem solving skills, independent living skills, and opportunities for obtaining a better education and gaining employment. Our structure begins with a juvenile being placed on probation. When sentenced to the program, offenders are referred to the Juvenile Probation Office and then on to the Juvenile Drug Court. Twice each month, a judge reviews the progress of each youth in the program with the offenders and their parents. Sanctions and incentives are part of this approach and are based upon offender compliance with the drug court. The program also provides prevention information for siblings and an opportunity for parents to talk with each other during parenting classes, which provide information for coping with and addressing substance abuse by their children. Who participates? An advisory committee consisting of a judge, representative from the offices of the District Attorney, the Public Defender, Juvenile Probation Office, treatment provider, public schools, law enforcement, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and community attorneys meet every two weeks to review procedures and oversee the program. The treatment provider works with the youth three times each week using group, individual, family, and motivational therapy modalities. Drug testing is conducted at least twice each week during the first eight weeks of this six-month program and randomly thereafter. AA/NA meetings are required once each week and appearance before the judge is required twice each month. Treatment staff and juvenile probation officers monitor participants; juvenile probation officers also track probation requirements and educational progress. Police officers work in a mentoring capacity with some of the offenders in the program. Unique aspects of this program include the strong support of the district court, public defender, district attorney, and law enforcement. The full support of the district court has provided a strong foundation for this court-centered initiative. The support and participation of our police department through the neighborhood police officers and DARE programs have been invaluable. These officers work with youth on a one-to-one basis providing sanctions when needed and incentives when earned. This includes working with these youth in their DARE initiatives with many of the activities taking place on the officers own time. This indicates to the youth who enter this program how much law enforcement officers care about them and are willing to help them. Officers also attend the drug court reviews held twice each week. White Sands Missile Range military officers and EEO staff have become involved with the juvenile drug court and offer a three-day camp for participants of this program where youth hike, camp out, learn to repel, and discuss their behaviors. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Cardon, District Court Program Director, at 505.528.8396.
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