A SECOND CHANCE

It's in the looks they exchange while putting away groceries, the
genuine laughter that fills the kitchen as they banter back and forth.

Linda Atkins, clinical director of Villa del Sol, a substance abuse
treatment center for teenage boys, has a special relationship with the
center's residents. While Atkins and the boys tease one another, you
almost expect them to call her "Mom."

Previously located in Kerrville, the treatment center moved to a new
building in Center Point this year - a building decorated to look like
a home, from the family-sized kitchen table in the living room to the
comfortable couches in the den. And Atkins seems to be the matriarch,
gently but firmly establishing the center's rules and offering
guidance to the boys, who are there for at least 90 days.

"We teach them respect, character-building, and how to live
drug-free," said Atkins, a licensed counselor and social worker. "They
also learn how to be part of a family."

The program, which falls under the umbrella of the Texas Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation, offers substance abuse treatment
and rehabilitation for boys ages 13 to 17. The facility receives part
of its funding from the state and part from donations. The residents
are considered economically disadvantaged.

"No child is denied admission because of lack of funds," said Claire
Thornton, program counselor. "There's also a sliding scale if the
child doesn't qualify for free treatment."

The facility only accepts nine boys at a time, and these boys undergo
intensive treatment that includes group and individual therapy, family
counseling, substance abuse education and 12-step meetings.

"There's a strict schedule they have to follow," Atkins said. While at
Villa del Sol, the boys are expected to properly care for their
property, do chores and keep their rooms clean.

"They start learning to take pride in themselves ... we basically are
doing things their parents should have done," she said.

In addition to treatment, Atkins makes sure the boys have fun, too.
The group often goes on field trips to destinations like Enchanted
Rock, the movies, recreational centers and church.

"We provide activities so they learn they can have a good time without
drugs," Atkins said. "We also teach them social skills."

An important basis of the program is encouraging the children to
develop a faith in a Higher Power, Atkins said.

"Without a Higher Power, they're not going to make it," she
said.

In group counseling sessions, the boys discuss their ideas about a
Higher Power and address topics such as gratitude and faith.

It's important for the children to learn these lessons at their tender
age, because several of them already have criminal records and could
later face prison.

"They have this window of opportunity to get it right," she
said.

Contributing to the homey setting of Villa del Sol, Home Depot
recently donated supplies and helped spruce up the facility, which has
new paint, new tile and new flooring.

"We really treat it as a home setting," Atkins said.

The program, according to Atkins, has an 80 percent success rate. Of
the recent residents, about 80 percent have remained sober in the four
months since they left the facility.

Current residents at Villa del Sol said the program has helped
them.

Mark, 15, came to facility because of marijuana use. "I used it mostly
every day," he said. Already on probation for truancy, Mark's
probation officer sent him for treatment after he tested positive for
drugs.

The meetings and setting at Villa del Sol have helped Mark stay sober,
he said.

"Going to meetings and having the chance to talk really helps," he
said. "I used to not do good in school, and now I go to school every
day and get a lot of work done."

He has now been sober for three months.

"I'll remember how nice everyone has been to me and how they've helped
my recovery," he said.

Jeremy, 15, said the staff at Villa del Sol is nice and he has enjoyed
the field trips to Marble Falls, Lost Maples and Enchanted Rock.
Jeremy is at the facility for abusing multiple drugs.

"I think this will help," he said. "I'm hoping to go to college and do
something with my life."

To honor confidentiality, the boys' real names were not used in this
story.

Atkins said she hopes the program will lead to a transformation for
the boys.

"We give them consistency, and we give them unconditional love. That
makes a difference," she said.