Juvenile Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment

1. Juvenile Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment A Juvenile Court Perspective on Related Issues Geoffrey A. Gaither Senior Magistrate Juvenile Division Marion Superior Court

2. RockPaperScissors

3. What is the Problem? • Using others prescription drugs • Using their own drugs in a way not suggested • Sharing or selling drugs with their peers • Using illegal drugs at an earlier age

4. Why do kids abuse prescription drugs? • Get high • Pain Relief • Have fun • Lose weight • Easy to get • Enhance performance (study aids, sports) • Belief that prescription drugs are safer • Reduce stress

5. Warning signs? • Physical appearance • Taking risks • Secretive actions • Neglecting responsibilities • Sudden change • Friends • Behaviors – mood swings - isolation • Patterns – avoiding eye contact

6. Where are kids getting the drugs from? • Family • Parents • Grandparents • Extended • Friends • Pharmacists • Doctors

7. What are the most common drugs? • Opiates • Oxycodone (Oxycontin) • Hydrocodone (Vicodin) • Propoxyphene (Darvon) • Percocet • Codine

8. Common Drugs • Depressants • Valium • Xanax • Klonopin • Ambien

9. Common Drugs • Stimulants • Concerta • Ritalin • Adderall

10. Common Scenario 1# • Teacher told principal a student may be under the influence of something • Student was pulled from class • Student smelled of alcohol and exhibited signs of intoxication • Police officer discovered 10 blue pills in student’s back pack • Pills tested positive for xanax

11. Common Scenario 2# • Student was going through metal detector at school • School police officer discovered marijuana pipe in book bag • Further search revealed pill bottle with different name • Pills tested positive for hydrocodone

12. Common Scenario 3# • Three students arrived late to school • They were very loud • School police officer went to investigate • Officer smelled marijuana • Two students had adderall in baggies • Third student under the influence of an unknown substance

13. Common Scenario 4# • Police officer makes traffic stop • Officer observes driver moving around, looking back and forth • Officer approaches teenage driver who is looking very nervous • Officer removes driver and finds pill bottle in the console • Name on the bottle does not match driver or car owner

14. School Response to Possession Offenses • Varies and is inconsistent • Automatic arrest • Suspension • Expulsion • Refer to mandatory counseling • Refer to optional counseling • Sent home • Drug testing • Drug dog patrols

15. School Result Disparity Inner City Schools Township Schools Case by case Referral to counseling services in lieu of expulsion Behavioral contracts School based drug/alcohol counseling services (proposed for Lawrence North/Central) • Automatic arrests • Suspension • Expulsion • Alternative school placement • Zero tolerance • (This list includes at least one township school)

16. Juvenile Court Process • Arrest • Initial Hearing • Release or Detention • Diversion, Trial, Plea or Waiver • Disposition • Probation • Placement • Treatment • Commitment

17. Penalties for Possession • Marijuana • 365 days in jail • 1 ½-3 years if weight greater than 30 grams • Cocaine • 3 years • 2-8 years if weight greater than 3 grams • Controlled Substances • 3 years • 2-8 years if on school property

18. Penalties for Dealing • Marijuana • 365 days • 3 yrs if buyer is under 18 • 2-8 yrs if weight greater than 30 grams • Cocaine and Controlled Substances • 6-20 years • 20-50 years • School or public property • Weight greater than 3 grams • Buyer is under 18 and at least 3 yrs younger than seller

19. Drug Court • Referred for program participation • Charges are taken under advisement • Agreement to stay clean and sober • Provided with incentives and rewards for testing negative • Consequences for positive tests or other relapse related behaviors • Successful graduates are released from probation and cases are closed

20. Drug Court Barriers to Success • No data to demonstrate long term effects of program participants • Danger of exposing 1st time users to peers with serious addiction issues • Positive effects may not last beyond the program • Difficulty in having an impact upon the child’s environment, parents, peers etc.

21. Outpatient Treatment Providers • Fairbanks • Gallahue • Midtown • Emberwood • Reach for Youth • IU/Riley • Aspire

22. General Program Components • Orientation • Evaluation • Treatment Recommendations • 6 weeks – 90 days • Individual/group discussions • Written exercises – worksheets • Role play • Feedback – pushback • Random urine analysis • Relapse

23. Treatment Issues and Roadblocks • Investment by client • Reason for being in treatment • Environment at home and school • Time • Parental drug use • Family lack of engagement • Level of addiction • Presence of other issues

24. Roadmap for Success • Client engagement • Parental participation • Early intervention • School programs • Client’s support environment • School • Neighborhood • Friends

25. Top Ten Ways to Keep Your Child Out of Juvenile Court • Know their friends • Visit the school • Meet the teachers • Discuss the day • Share a vision • Worship together • Hug your child • Set proper rules • Set the proper example • Use appropriate discipline

26. Your Move