The Juvenile Drug Court

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In the juvenile drug court a docket with selected delinquency cases are referred to a designated judge. These youth have been identified for having problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. The juvenile drug court judge maintains close oversight of each case through frequent court report updates through the probation officer and the therapist. The judge both services as the team leader and serve as an integral part of a team that comprises representatives from treatment, juvenile justice, social services, school and vocational training programs, law enforcement, probation, the prosecution, and the defense. This team determines how to address the problems of substance abuse and his or her family, which lead the youth into contact with the justice system (Cooper, 1998).
Goals of the 10 Juvenile Drug Court
The following goals at set forth in the Policy and Procedure Manual for the 10Th Judicial District Juvenile Drug Court:
• To reduce substance abuse and related criminal activity for post adjudicated, non- violent offenders between the ages of 13-17
• To reduce recidivism rates of juveniles of any drug charges to include drug charges that are secondary to other minor offenses such as shoplifting, delinquency from school, etc.
• To hold drug-dependent offenders accountable for their criminal conduct and provide them alternatives for help other than detention.
• To provide real and effect rehabilitation for delinquent offenders to include utilizing service providers, the educational system and communities.
• To offer cost effective alternatives to incarceration and hospitalization by using intense outpatient drug therapy.
According to the (Office of Justice, 1999), these programs are established by communities to provide an...

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...hese juveniles with the limited resources in their area and seem to have their hearts in the right place. I recommend to the drug court and Judge French that a review of the program be conducted at regular intervals to ensure quality services is being provided. I would also recommend that the drug court team get involved more with the juveniles on a level outside of the courtroom. These along with other previously identified changes will help the program growth and effectiveness while proving the drug court’s success record so funding will continue as substance abuse treatment remains a priority for not only the courts but for the community. This drug court system can be one of the best in the state even with the limited resources available, those involved just have to think outside of the box and pull from the surrounding communities to make the program a success.

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