NCJ Number
185957
Journal
Judicdial Officers' Bulletin Volume: 12 Issue: 5 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 33-36
Date Published
June 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the development of the Youth Drug Court Pilot Program for Western Sydney (Australia), which is expected to begin in July 2000.
Abstract
The New South Wales Drug Summit 1999 -- Government Plan of Action recommended that the Youth Drug Court apply both intensive judicial supervision and case management techniques to young offenders who are charged with criminal offenses that stem from drug and/or alcohol use. Through the Youth Drug Court, these youth would be referred to programs designed to eliminate or reduce their drug and/or alcohol misuse and related criminal behavior while increasing their ability to function as law-abiding members of the community. Since August 1999, an Interagency Project Management Group (IPMG), which consists of a wide range of criminal justice and social service government agencies, has been working on the development of a Youth Drug Court model that can serve as the pilot program. To date, the IPMG has reached agreement on the basic model for the Youth Drug Court pilot program. This report presents the following key features of the model: time frame for program implementation, eligibility, referrals, assessment, program plans, and acceptance into the program. A description of treatment and services for participants also encompasses ongoing court involvement and sentencing. Features of the programs evaluation are described as well, along with communication, consultation, and training. 6 notes