TOUGHER DRUG TESTING AHEAD

Juveniles Face Pre-Sentencing Screen

Juvenile Court Judge Brett Niemeier has pared down his plans for drug
testing on youths who come before the court, but a new program now being
implemented is a tougher approach. Until now, drug testing of juveniles in
the court system has been random. This month, it's becoming a staple.

Niemeier believes it will be effective in screening offenders whose drug
use is out of control and who are beyond being helped by drug-education
efforts alone.

"What we're really interested in getting a handle on is whether these kids
can stop and not use (drugs) anymore," Niemeier said. "If they can't, we
need to get them into treatment."

Here's the plan: Instead of testing all juveniles when they enter the court
system, Niemeier will order testing for those who await sentencing. That
means about 400 juvenile offenders per year - about half of those who enter
the system - will face testing in a collaborative program with the court,
St. Mary's Mulberry Center and the Youth Care Center, a local detention
facility.

Before sentencing, Niemeier orders each juvenile to stay off drugs and
alcohol until it's time to return to court for sentencing. "It's their
opportunity - even if they've used in the past - to demonstrate that they
can control their behavior."

If they come back positive, even after being ordered to stay clean by the
judge who will pass sentence, "that's the indication to me that they cannot
control their (drug or alcohol use)," Niemeier said.

Niemeier said he's "very interested" to see what percentage is going to
test positive even after the warning.

Court and treatment officials estimate 75 percent of juvenile offenders are
substance abusers.

The drug testing is funded through a Juvenile Accountability Grant -
federal money administered by the state.

Niemeier said the same group collaborating on the testing is also trying to
get a full-time drug and alcohol therapist on the Youth Care Center staff
to work with the testing program.