Every parent whose child is a drug user feels alone, ashamed and virtually helpless. No longer is it the child from the broken home, the one who is doing poorly in school, who is stigmatized by race, economic level or weak self-esteem. It has very little to do with parental levels of education, professional status or even their skill of parenting. Today's children are exposed to drugs just by living in our society.

My errant daughter was given a choice of spending time in juvenile prison or joining Juvenile Drug Court. At first, I refused because I did not think it could help her. Hearing the rigors of the program, I knew she would have a difficult time conforming to its restrictions. It also meant a great time and energy commitment on my part. I was, however, at my wit's end. To refuse meant I had given up on my child. Out of love for my daughter, I agreed with the extra supervision, the weekly trip for drug testing and the weekly appearance in Drug Court.

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