The Columbia County Juvenile Drug Court oversees drug and/or alcohol abusing non-violent juvenile offenders who have been referred by the Columbia County Juvenile Department and who are engaged in a treatment program that typically consists of intensive outpatient services. Numerous organizations work together in an effort to reduce participants' rate of reoffending and substance abuse :
- Columbia County Circuit Court Judge
- Columbia County Trial Court Administrator
- Columbia County Treatment Court Coordinator
- Columbia County Juvenile Department
- Columbia Community Mental Health
- Columbia County Education Campus
- Columbia County Consortium
The Juvenile Drug Court contains a five-phase system. Each phase is designed to provide the best possible support for the participant.
The first phase of the program focuses on recovery and responsibility to self. During this phase participants work on the first step in the recovery process and start building a strong outside support network. Youth in this phase start working on core belief activities and on making the transition into the program. Participants attend drug court hearings weekly in front of a Circuit Court Judge and submit to random urinalysis (UA) provided by Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH).
Phase Two of the program focuses on maintenance of recovery and responsibility to others. During this phase youth work on understanding the importance of honesty in recovery and everyday life. Participants continue to work on the 12 steps of recovery, attend all treatment activities, attend drug court hearings once a week, and submit to random UA’s provided by CCMH.
Phase three focuses on employment, education and life. Participants learn life skills that will allow them to seek employment and/or enroll in college in the future. Youth attend all treatment activities, continue to submit to random UA’s and attend drug court hearings once a week. Phase three also focuses on mentor training and being a role model to new youth entering the program. Youth in phase three are required to obtain a sponsor and continue to focus on creating a network of support.
Phase four of focuses on maintaining a clean, sober, and law-abiding lifestyle. Youth continue to attend weekly drug court hearings, attend all treatment activities, submit to random UA’s and continue to work on core belief activities. During phase four youth are also required to lead a recovery group session for the other participants in the program.
Phase five is the aftercare phase. This phase requires youth to attend at least one drug court hearing per month, attend one individual treatment session per month, and submit to random UA’s. This final phase encourages participants to become a mentor for another client in the program., and once completed youth are eligible for graduation.
In order for participants to graduate, they must:
- Abstain from drugs and alcohol through all five phases of the Drug Court
- Upon request, produce UA's for alcohol and drugs
- Successfully complete treatment as recommended by the alcohol and drug assessment and treatment provider
- Develop a positive community support network
- Regularly attend community support groups
- Complete all 5 phases
After Graduation the clients have the opportunity to return and become mentors for the program. The mentoring program requires each person to be a graduate of the Columbia County Juvenile Drug Court, sign a court contract agreeing to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and to communicate with the Juvenile Drug Court team on a regular basis on the progress their mentee is making. Mentors are given training and instruction on what role they will play as a mentor. Becoming a mentor is a voluntary opportunity.