AIM OF NEW YOUTH COURT TO 'ELIMINATE DRUG HABIT'

Targeted Offenders Will Undergo Three-Stage Process In Rankin

Rankin County Court Judge Thomas Broome had a stream of juveniles appear
before him in 2004 on alcohol- and drug-related charges.

Too many kids, in his mind. Broome thinks if he can "eliminate the drug
habit" in those kids, youth crime will decrease. That's why he plans to
start the Rankin County youth drug court in late fall or early December.

"Most of these children, when they're sober, can make the right decision,"
he said.

Broome will join a small fraternity of Mississippi county court judges in
starting the specialized court. The first was started in 2001 in Adams
County by Judge John Hudson, followed by Madison County's program launched
by Judge William Agin last May.

DeSoto County will start a program this month, and Forrest County has plans
to start one.

Broome's team will visit Adams County for ideas. "Everyone that's begun one
has come to see what we're doing," Hudson said.

In 2004, 11,000 youths ages 10 to 18 came through the Rankin County
Detention Center. Of those, Broome said 586 were drug- and alcohol-related.
Broome said figures for 2003 were unavailable, but he did see a "slight
increase" in 2004. Broome said the number of juveniles involved with drugs
and alcohol has increased in the past decade, and that's why he decided to
pursue a drug court, using federal and state funding.

The drug court will be for nonviolent offenders ages 12 to 17, and he
anticipates 20 to 50 participants. Depending on the child, the three-stage
program can take one to two years to complete.

The estimated cost to run the program is $150,000 to $175,000 per year and
would cover treatment, drug tests and probationary services.

Hudson said nearly 160 kids have participated in his program in the past
three years. "Some people are going to fail, but by and large those coming
into drug court end up benefiting significantly," he said.

"I can think of 20 to 30 kids that would be in the adult system."

Agin said the 14 participants in his program are heading into phase two. He
said there are three participants who are ready to enter the third and
final phase this month.

"We generally see the kids after they've done something wrong. In drug
court, we get to celebrate their successes," Agin said.

Of the 32,000 children under 18 in Rankin County, Broome said the ones
involved in drugs are a minority. "Very often, that minority is getting
into serious trouble," he said.

In addition to a counselor, there is a team of court officials,
mental-health workers and school district officials to keep the
participants on track.

Dr. Nita Townsend, the psychologist for the Rankin County school district,
is on the team. Townsend will serve as a liaison between school and the
court, monitoring school attendance, grades and behavior in the classroom.

Christy Emerson of Region 8 Mental Health services in Brandon said the drug
court will "combine treatment and accountability." She said the
participants would not be first-time users or be so severe they need to be
committed. "These kids would be the ones in the middle."

Broome and the staff are voluntarily putting in extra hours, he said. The
drug court will be a part of the current Youth Court and should not require
much additional time or money. Hudson of Adams Countysaid there is one day
of the week he and his staff stay several hours extra to meet with each child.

Youth drug courts must follow federal guidelines, and those involved are
required to attend training sessions.

Broome's team completed the first of the three training sessions in
January. After the sessions, the team will design a plan tailored to Rankin
youths. Then, Broome will be eligible for federal and state funding, in
addition to grants from nonprofit groups. Funding for training comes from
the U.S. Department of Justice.

Broome also will apply annually to the Mississippi Supreme Court's
Administrative Office of Courts.

Broome said family participation is crucial. If parents and guardians need
help, counseling services are available.

[Sidebar]

Fast Facts

About the youth drug court program coming to Rankin County:

# Participants are chosen on a case-by-case basis and can go through the
program only once. The typical youth drug user in Rankin County is white,
male and 16, said Christy Emerson of Region 8 Mental Health services in
Brandon. The drug of choice is marijuana, she said.

# During the first and most rigorous stage, participants may be drug tested
three to five times a week, said Judge Thomas Broome. As they advance, they
gain more independence and are monitored and tested less.

# Participants stay at home instead of treatment or detention centers.
Broome said with adequate supervision and education, the kids are more
likely to learn how to say no to drugs in real-life settings.

# A counselor is assigned to each participant as well as a probation
officer to check on them at home and at school throughout the week.