Budget cuts bring end to juvenile drug court

Local News

May 30, 2010

By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal The Commonwealth Journal Sun May 30, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

Somerset —

Fewer juveniles will be heading to drug court in the near future, but that’s not necessarily good news.

State budget cuts have forced the closing of several programs, one of which is the 28th Judicial District’s Juvenile Drug Court — which serves youth and their families in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. Started nearly a decade ago, the court has allowed children under the age of 18 with drug-related criminal charges to have access to counseling, rehabilitation, drug screenings and other resources. Those who complete the program can have their convictions cleared from their records.

Program supervisor Kevin Slone estimates an average of 25 Pulaski youth and 10 Rockcastle youth per year have completed the program.

Slone says the program’s staff, all of whom are not paid for the hours they contribute, attempts to treat all problems the young boys and girls encounter — not just those directly related to their drug charges.

“If they have a bad family situation, we get them counseling. If their problem is with substance abuse, we have inpatient rehab available. And if their issues are with truancy, we have people in place to make sure they’re at school on time,” Slone said.

Pulaski County District Court Judge Katie Wood, who has presided over juvenile drug court for nearly three years, describes the program as “rigid.”

“We keep a tight thumb on the kids,” she said. “They walk a tight line — no drugs, they’re required to graduate or get a GED, and some get a job. ... It takes about a year to get through the program — some take a lot less. Some take a lot longer.”

Staff and youth were paid a special visit by Supreme Court Justice Dan Venters earlier this week.

“I feel like I’m coming to the funeral,” Venters said of his appearance near the program’s end.

“This program has been very much appreciated and recognized as one of the most successful and innovative things the court system has done in years,” he told the group.

“It’s unfortunate we’re in this circumstance, but Frankfort is aware of the hard work and the dedicated effort put into this. ... Word of what we’re doing in Kentucky has been out there. ... It’s bittersweet that I get to express my appreciation now. ... You have made a mark that will not be forgotten.”

Slone believes the counties’ district courts will now feel a strain “having to come up with alternatives” for the young people who were once directed to the juvenile drug court.

“There will be no outlet for (the youth),” Slone said. “They’ll end up being prosecuted on their charges. ... Those kids will be sitting in the (juvenile) detention center awaiting services” as opposed to having fast access to counselors, rehab centers, or social workers as they have had through the juvenile drug court.

“It’s been an eye-opener how many kids come in and say, ‘My parent is in jail on drug charges,’ or ‘My father is an alcoholic,’” Slone said. “These kids have seen it destroy their family’s lives, but they still fall into it.”

Slone’s biggest reward while working for the juvenile drug court, of course, has been the number of success stories he’s witnessed.

“I wish there could be a success rate of 100 percent, but there isn’t,” he said.

Just this week, he said, he saw one of the program’s successes. A young girl who had received long-term rehabilitation is now getting ready to graduate from high school.

“Her dad came up and said, ‘Thank you. We were fighting this at first, but she never would have made it this far without your help.’ Moments like that are what make the program successful,” Slone said.

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