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Home > Specialized Courts > Drug Court > Maine Juvenile Drug Treatment Court

Maine Juvenile Drug Treatment Court

See Also: Drug Court FAQ, Family Treatment Drug Court , Adult Drug Court

A collaborative effort among the Maine District Court, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Substance Abuse, and the Maine Department of Corrections/Juvenile Services.

Mission Statement

To improve the quality of juvenile justice in Maine through timely and effective substance abuse, social services, and juvenile justice interventions.

Goals

  • To improve public safety;
  • To increase the juvenile's accountability, particularly in relation to victims and the community;
  • To build a stronger family unit;
  • To increase collaboration among the juvenile justice system, substance abuse providers, educational systems, and ancillary services; and
  • To have juveniles become responsible community members.

Objectives

  • Timely disposition of juvenile cases
  • Juvenile free of drug and alcohol use
  • Coordination and provision of needed services for juvenile
  • Development by juvenile of necessary personal assets and skills to become a productive citizen, as evidenced by active employment, school attendance and achievement, positive community activities, and no further criminal activity
  • Increased parental involvement with the juvenile

Key Components of the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Model

  • Identification of juveniles for treatment and referral shortly after arrest;
  • Judicial supervision of structured, community-based treatment;
  • Regular court hearing to monitor treatment progress and compliance;
  • A series of graduated sanctions and rewards; and
  • Mandatory drug testing.

How are Juveniles Referred to Drug Treatment Court?

  • A judge may refer a juvenile for eligibility screening.
  • Any interested party may ask the Judge to refer a juvenile for screening.
  • A juvenile may be referred for screening at any stage of the Juvenile Court process. Screening may occur shortly after the filing of a juvenile petition or at the time a motion to revoke probation is filed.

Who Qualifies for Juvenile Drug Treatment Court?

The drug treatment court serves juveniles with substance abuse problems who have gotten in trouble with the law. A juvenile is accepted into the program by order of the Court, subject to eligibility and screening requirements set forth below:

  • must be a youth whose offense occurred prior to their 18th birthday;
  • must have a substance abuse problem;
  • must be at risk to re-offend; and
  • must be able to participate in treatment.

When the juvenile enters the program the juvenile, and usually his or her parents, are required to participate in an intensive treatment regime. In addition to substance abuse treatment, the program attempts to integrate a variety of ancillary services, (e.g. educational programming, job training, mental health services, recreational planning, etc.) to sustain progress beyond the drug court. Adolescents are taught needed skills within the neighborhood and community. Throughout the program, building skills and a network of support are emphasized.

The Heart of the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court...
Is the Drug Court Team:

  • Judge
  • Case Manager
  • Treatment Provider
  • Juvenile Community Corrections Officer
  • District Attorney
  • Defense Attorney and others who work together to support the juvenile's rehabilitation.

For More Information:

Hon. Keith A. Powers
Maine District Court
P.O. Box 412, Portland, ME 04112
(207) 822-4269