Benton County Juvenile Department – Drug Court

The purpose and the mission of the Benton County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court is to reduce substance abuse, reduce crime and strengthen families by offering opportunities for comprehensive, strength-based treatment services for substance abusing, non-violent offenders and their families to improve community health and safety. The Benton County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court began operation in April, 2005.

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court

Drug Court serves youth ages 14 to 17 who have been adjudicated for drug and/or alcohol offenses or for other delinquency offenses if the youth has significant drug and alcohol issues or if the use of drugs and/or alcohol was involved in the offenses.

To be eligible for Drug Court, youth must complete a drug and alcohol evaluation which indicates the need for intensive outpatient or residential alcohol/drug treatment.

All youths involved in the program receive intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment provided by the Benton County Health Department combined with intensive court involvement. Random weekly urinalyses are conducted by the Juvenile Department.

Each youth also receives case management services provided by Benton County Juvenile Department. Youths will receive educational services provided or arranged by their home school district.

Other wraparound services will be coordinated by the Juvenile Department. Examples of these types of services include vocational training and opportunities, additional individual or family counseling, assistance with transportation, skill-building groups, etc.

Drug Court is organized into four phases. As the youth progresses through the phases, requirements are gradually reduced. The minimum time for completion of all four phases is nine months.