Drug Courts give Maine teens needed chance for renewal

    Unknown to many, there are six courts in Maine whose innovation and teamwork have given adolescent offenders of drug-related crimes an opportunity for a productive and engaged life in the community.  A juvenile drug court is a special court given the responsibility for such juvenile offenders. It operates in the domain of a courtroom, it is made up of a team of advocates for youth including lawyers, probation officers, treatment providers and a case worker. Its success has prevented Maine kids from facing jail, a lifetime of addiction, and in some cases, death.
    This program serves as an opportunity for juvenile offenders to take responsibility for their crimes and ideally, avoid commitment. Youth are required to meet clearly set benchmarks, pass random curfew and drug tests, attend weekly status meetings with a Judge, work closely with their case managers and work with representatives from the schools or law enforcement. Its impressive success in reducing criminal behavior and further substance abuse is well documented nationwide. According to a recent study prepared for the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, the court participants persist in being dramatically less likely to be arrested for alcohol related offences than a peer control group. The study illustrates savings of thousands of dollars in reduced jail time, reduced costs for criminal case proceedings and an overall savings in crime reduction. We also know that participants and graduates are more likely to have a high school education and a job, serving as a long term resource as an adult workforce. All of these are of considerable value to Maine’s economy.
Finding stability, self-esteem
    There are many kids in this program who share what seem to be insurmountable circumstances and deserve admiration. Unquestionably, there are parents who make a heroic effort to help their children by providing a supportive environment at home under challenging circumstances. However, there are also youth in the program coming from families that struggle with substance abuse, suffer from poverty issues, or deal with the consequences of having family members in and out of jail. There are clients who no longer live with their parents and are living at a residential facility. The most extreme cases may come from families who have lost members to overdose.
    As program case managers and frequent treatment provider for the courts in Augusta, Biddeford, Bangor, West Bath, Lewiston and Portland, Day One sees the benefits to the youth on an individual level. The investment of time and energy in them increases their self esteem through such requirements of attending and succeeding in school, adhering to rules, respecting authority and by then being rewarded for small successes. Part of the program’s success is due to its appreciation of codes of ethics that many kids have developed for survival, working to guide them to a healthy standards. For some, it is the only place they have ever been treated with respect by someone in a position of authority or their peers. A premium is put on developing a healthy relationship with their families. The court is used as leverage for stabilizing their lives. In addition to going to school, they have to get a job or do community service, get treatment and follow the rules of their household.
    These are all requirements of functioning in the community.
In court, a traditional family
    The Bangor court is under the domain of Judge Robert Murray and faces distinct challenges. Bangor has no Intensive Outpatient Services, a preferred method of treatment for some youth in these circumstances. Participants from the greater Bangor area who attend the court have limited access to support services. Transportation is a challenge for parental support. Bangor participants are heavily affected by statewide problems including a lack of support programs such as intensive treatment, peer support groups and teen centers – a factor that will continue to shrink as the public funding evaporates.
    Even with the obstacles facing the Bangor court, a visit to Judge Murray is an impressive demonstration of the strength of the program. To an outsider, the courtroom becomes what appears to be a traditional family model where the youth must stand before the judge and tell him the progress of their week – including his or her successes or failures in passing drug tests, curfew checks or school work. If the youth has succeeded then they are rewarded with applause, a privilege or a reward. Recognition as simple as applause from the court has a stunning effect. However, if they have failed in their commitments they may be sanctioned with community service, writing a paper explaining why, or in the worse case scenario, a stay at the detention facility. Absolute honesty is required of the youth.
Sharing the responsibility
    It is behind the scenes in the pre-court meetings where the rich partnership is evident. There is a committed team of advocates including the District Attorney’s office, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, and school officials. This collaboration strengthens the process of working to find the strengths that can be built upon for the youth’s ultimate success. It recognizes the many ways in which a struggling youth needs support in a community and it takes into account the circumstances of each individual.
    However, these courts cannot operate in a vacuum. If these vulnerable youth then fall back into high risk behaviors, then they face the personal cost and we face the public one. As a community, we are challenged to look at the support systems that are available for these youth in recovery, as well as prevention measures. We will all benefit if they become productive members of the community. That translates directly into safe and healthy places for them to go, activities for them to do, and perhaps most importantly, an honest conversation about our shared responsibility for these kids of Maine.
    Our future depends on it.
    Anna Marie Klein-Christie is director of development and public relations for Day One. For any concerns about a friend or child struggling with substance abuse, please visit www.day-one.org or call 874-1045.