DRUGS AND GIRLS

There is some consolation to be had in the fact that commissioners approved
a contract this week with Willamette Family Treatment Inc., to continue its
successful residential substance abuse treatment program for delinquent girls.

But the program that has operated for the past several years with bed space
for four girls at a time will be reduced to two beds, as the county tries
to eke a little extra mileage out of federal grant money that will stretch
only through the end of this year.

Commissioner Bill Dwyer says it's a matter of "making adjustments" to
compensate for dwindling grant opportunities during the national and
statewide recession.

The residential treatment program for girls was created out of a large
federal grant, received in 1995, that also was used to start other juvenile
programs. A Juvenile Breaking the Cycle Grant from the National Institute
of Justice took over funding for the girls' program in 1999.

The Willamette Family Treatment program offers the only residential drug
and alcohol treatment service for girls in Lane County.

Another nonprofit agency under contract with the county provides a similar
service for about 15 boys at a time.