Research tells us that, on average, teen-agers across the country pass
through the juvenile justice system five times before becoming involved with
"hard crime." Think of the senseless tragedies and heartbreak that could be
avoided if there were a way to turn those teens around after their first or
second minor brush with the law!

Now, in St. Louis, there is such a program. Young people who commit illegal
acts often have serious emotional disorders. Prevention or early
intervention services can help both the offenders and their families.

The city's Mental Health Board of Trustees, in cooperation with the Missouri
Department of Mental Health and SafeFutures will initiate a program that
provides a comprehensive, community-based care system to city youth who are
involved with the juvenile justice system or at risk of becoming involved.

A study conducted at the St. Louis Family Court determined that 12.2 percent
of the youthful subjects meet diagnostic criteria for depression, 23.8
percent for substance abuse/dependency, 29.6 percent for conduct disorders
and 12.2 percent for suicidal attempt/ideation.

Identified and treated in time, many of these problems can be overcome,
enabling individuals to function well in society. And that is the goal of
the juvenile justice prevention/early intervention project. It will include
mental health/substance abuse assessment, a plan of care designed to meet
the needs of each young person - building a program of services around the
strengths of the child and family, ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Don Cuvo, Executive Director Mental Health Board of Trustees St. Louis