Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2005 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Lorinda Bullock Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) AIM OF NEW YOUTH COURT TO 'ELIMINATE DRUG HABIT' Targeted Offenders Will Undergo Three-Stage Process In Rankin Rankin County Court Judge Thomas Broome had a stream of juveniles appear before him in 2004 on alcohol- and drug-related charges. Too many kids, in his mind. Broome thinks if he can "eliminate the drug habit" in those kids, youth crime will decrease. That's why he plans to start the Rankin County youth drug court in late fall or early December. "Most of these children, when they're sober, can make the right decision," he said. Broome will join a small fraternity of Mississippi county court judges in starting the specialized court. The first was started in 2001 in Adams County by Judge John Hudson, followed by Madison County's program launched by Judge William Agin last May. DeSoto County will start a program this month, and Forrest County has plans to start one. Broome's team will visit Adams County for ideas. "Everyone that's begun one has come to see what we're doing," Hudson said. In 2004, 11,000 youths ages 10 to 18 came through the Rankin County Detention Center. Of those, Broome said 586 were drug- and alcohol-related. Broome said figures for 2003 were unavailable, but he did see a "slight increase" in 2004. Broome said the number of juveniles involved with drugs and alcohol has increased in the past decade, and that's why he decided to pursue a drug court, using federal and state funding. The drug court will be for nonviolent offenders ages 12 to 17, and he anticipates 20 to 50 participants. Depending on the child, the three-stage program can take one to two years to complete. The estimated cost to run the program is $150,000 to $175,000 per year and would cover treatment, drug tests and probationary services. Hudson said nearly 160 kids have participated in his program in the past three years. "Some people are going to fail, but by and large those coming into drug court end up benefiting significantly," he said. "I can think of 20 to 30 kids that would be in the adult system." Agin said the 14 participants in his program are heading into phase two. He said there are three participants who are ready to enter the third and final phase this month. "We generally see the kids after they've done something wrong. In drug court, we get to celebrate their successes," Agin said. Of the 32,000 children under 18 in Rankin County, Broome said the ones involved in drugs are a minority. "Very often, that minority is getting into serious trouble," he said. In addition to a counselor, there is a team of court officials, mental-health workers and school district officials to keep the participants on track. Dr. Nita Townsend, the psychologist for the Rankin County school district, is on the team. Townsend will serve as a liaison between school and the court, monitoring school attendance, grades and behavior in the classroom. Christy Emerson of Region 8 Mental Health services in Brandon said the drug court will "combine treatment and accountability." She said the participants would not be first-time users or be so severe they need to be committed. "These kids would be the ones in the middle." Broome and the staff are voluntarily putting in extra hours, he said. The drug court will be a part of the current Youth Court and should not require much additional time or money. Hudson of Adams Countysaid there is one day of the week he and his staff stay several hours extra to meet with each child. Youth drug courts must follow federal guidelines, and those involved are required to attend training sessions. Broome's team completed the first of the three training sessions in January. After the sessions, the team will design a plan tailored to Rankin youths. Then, Broome will be eligible for federal and state funding, in addition to grants from nonprofit groups. Funding for training comes from the U.S. Department of Justice. Broome also will apply annually to the Mississippi Supreme Court's Administrative Office of Courts. Broome said family participation is crucial. If parents and guardians need help, counseling services are available. [Sidebar] Fast Facts About the youth drug court program coming to Rankin County: # Participants are chosen on a case-by-case basis and can go through the program only once. The typical youth drug user in Rankin County is white, male and 16, said Christy Emerson of Region 8 Mental Health services in Brandon. The drug of choice is marijuana, she said. # During the first and most rigorous stage, participants may be drug tested three to five times a week, said Judge Thomas Broome. As they advance, they gain more independence and are monitored and tested less. # Participants stay at home instead of treatment or detention centers. Broome said with adequate supervision and education, the kids are more likely to learn how to say no to drugs in real-life settings. # A counselor is assigned to each participant as well as a probation officer to check on them at home and at school throughout the week. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth