JUVENILE DRUG COURT WILL BEGIN THIS FALL

LAFAYETTE - In October, some juvenile offenders will choose between doing
time or cleaning up their drug habits.

Juvenile drug court, a volunteer program that offers an alternative to
incarceration, has been a success across the nation because it treats the
juvenile and his or her family, said 15th Judicial District Judge Thomas
Duplantier.

"It's a therapeutic court," Duplantier said. "We've learned it's best to
treat the child and the family."

The choice between jail and the program may be a no-brainer, but
participants aren't simply handed a get-out-of-jail-free card. Drug dealers
and violent offenders will not find their way into the program. Only
adjudicated offenders aged 14 to 16 and with a history of drug use or
drug-related crimes are eligible.

As a condition of the juvenile's parole, offenders must complete different
levels of counseling and drug screening with their family or guardians.
That includes school or a Graduate Equivalency Diploma program. If they've
earned GEDs, they have to get a job. They'll report to Duplantier on their
progress.

If, at any time, they do not comply with the program and violate their
parole, the judge may rule to kick them out of the program and send them to
jail.

"It's pretty much a short string," said Lars Levy, who began the adult and
juvenile drug courts in St. Mary

Parish in 1999. "People get into the program and say, 'I'd rather go to
jail.' "

The therapy offered in the program has proven a better rehabilitation
method and more cost effective. About 60 percent of juveniles serve one
year to 2.9 years in a correctional center at about $120 a day depending
upon the center, according to the Department of Corrections 2001-02 budget
and statistics.

Treatment in the juvenile court program costs about $5,625 and saves the
state even more in the long run because drug court graduates are less
likely to re-enter the system, Levy said.

Statewide, only 24 of the 317 adult and juvenile drug court graduates have
been convicted of another crime since July 1, 2001, according to the state
drug court statistics.

Part of their treatment also includes recreational therapy - playing
sports, coaching teams and enjoying nature.

"A lot of them don't know how to have fun without using some sort of
substance," said Sonya Barbier, the 15th Judicial District's juvenile drug
court coordinator.

Michelle Breaux, an assistant district attorney with the 15th Judicial
District, will refer the candidates to the program. She said the program
was a major need in the Lafayette area.

"We're seeing the same kids over and over and an increase in the drug
population. They're starting at a younger age," Breaux said.

Family intervention and giving the juvenile control over the program's pace
have been factors in the program's success, Levy said.

"We can't just treat the juvenile and not the environment. That's proven
not to work," Levy said.