JUSTICE CENTER ADDS RESIDENTIAL DRUG TREATMENT

EL RENO -- Gary Miller grins when reflecting on the juvenile justice
center that bears his name because its mission is being fulfilled.

"These are our children, and we're going to do something to help them
here in this county," the longtime associate district judge said of
the Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children's Justice Center.

The help comes in many forms. The center opened in August 1999
primarily as a detention area for juveniles awaiting hearings or
trials at the on-site courtroom. A long-term alternative school is
located at the center, which also provides outpatient substance abuse
treatment.

The vision has expanded, and more help is on the way.

Construction is complete on a $2 million expansion. Miller said more
youths will benefit through the addition of a residential drug and
alcohol treatment program and a residential mental health home.

Two 12-bed group homes will help meet those needs. A full-size
gymnasium also was added for use by youths in those programs and by
students enrolled in the alternative school.

Miller said families, especially those living within the county, will
benefit by not having to drive hours from home to visit children
getting long-term treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues.

"There's not a single plan that fixes every situation," he said. "We
have diversified our approach to fix the problems. It's a multifaceted
approach, other than just offering a Band-Aid to fix a much bigger
problem."

Justice center Director Billie Linham said the need far exceeds
availability of high-level treatment for substance-abusing youth. The
addition of 12 beds for inpatient care will increase the state's
combined total by 40 percent to 30 beds, she said.

Linham said treatment will be based on a five-or six-month program
for youths on probation who have substance abuse problems.

"An important aspect is involvement with parents, because this is a
family problem," she said. "To do that, you need to be close enough to
where families live that they can join you."

The group home includes 12 dorm-like, single-occupancy rooms, each
with a twin bed, wardrobe, mirror and window. A television will be
provided in a large living area with sofas and love seats so that
youths can interact. They will eat inside the group home and attend
the center's alternative school.

"They don't always want to quit using drugs," Linham said. "What has
usually happened is they come in contact with a force bigger than them
usually law enforcement and the court that has tied that use back to
whatever behavior got them involved in the court system."

The program is intended to end the destructive patterns that often
continue into adulthood, Linham said.

"We've got to help them find a place to belong in nonusing
environments and with kids who don't use," Linham said.

Center officials also want to establish an adolescent Alcoholics
Anonymous program that will provide for continued support for youths
who are treated there.

State funding also is expected to provide for youths housed in a
separate, secure 12-bed mental health group home adjacent to the drug-
and alcohol-treatment area.

A permanent one-third-cent sales tax, approved in 1996 by Canadian
County voters, provided bond financing to pay for the center. A 2002
bond deal refinanced the $5.7 million debt by lowering the interest
rate by nearly 1 percent and providing additional funds for expansion.

The tax provides nearly $2.5 million in annual revenue. Other funds
are provided through contracts with county and state agencies who pay
to detain juveniles in custody. Canadian County is one of four
Oklahoma counties with its own juvenile justice center.