NCJ Number
164661
Date Published
1996
Length
70 pages
Annotation
Juvenile drug courts are examined in terms of the operational characteristics and issues being addressed by jurisdictions planning or implementing such courts, the current status of these programs, and policy issues.
Abstract
The report was prepared in conjunction with a workshop attended by representatives from 27 jurisdictions and sponsored jointly by the State Justice Institute and the United States Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs Drug Courts Program Office. Information from 19 programs revealed program characteristics, populations served, case processing procedures, treatment and rehabilitation services for juveniles and their families, and issues being addressed in planning and conducting programs. Among the major issues these programs experienced were a lack of treatment resources, funding, involving the family, identifying the target population. Recommended actions for other jurisdictions considering such a program included forming a team to obtain the cooperation of all participating agencies, incorporating the family into the court setting, finding a model program first, trying a pilot project with a small group, and initiating a program with existing resources rather than waiting for new funding. Tables