DRUG COURT CAN BEGIN IN 2003

Program managers hope to have 35 juvenile offenders in the program by
the end of 2003. They also want to expand the program to Barnwell and
Bamberg counties. AIKEN - After getting a federal grant this week -
its second in the past year - Aiken County can start its long-awaited
juvenile drug court in January.

The $78,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will pay for
treatment of juveniles and for a judge to oversee the court process.

That is combined with a $49,000 grant received this summer that pays
the project manager and covers startup costs.

Drug courts take repeat, nonviolent offenders and offer them clean
records if they complete rigorous supervision.

The program aims to reduce the number of repeat offenders by extending
the usual punishment role of judges and prosecutors to let them
uncover family and school problems of the juveniles.

"I'm looking forward to it," said retired Family Court Judge Larry
Inabinet, who will act as special judge for the program. "I hope we
see some good results from it."

Since 1995, more than 140 juvenile drug courts have been started, and
more than 125 are being planned, according to the Justice Department.

Before juveniles enter the program, they must plead guilty to their
charge.

But instead of being placed on probation through the Department of
Juvenile Justice, participants will get their guilty plea erased if
they finish the program.

Juveniles age 12 to 16 who have a substance abuse or dependency
problem can participate in the program.

"These are kids probably on a direct path to DJJ if they don't get
some intervention," program manager Kristi Bodie said.

Participants will go through a four-phase process that should last
nine to 12 months. It begins with the most intense phase, which
requires weekly court visits and up to four counseling sessions per
week.

Families and school officials will be involved in the
program.

Ms. Bodie said she hopes to have 35 juveniles in the program by the
end of the first year. In the future, she wants to expand it to
Barnwell and Bamberg counties.