PARENT-TEEN RELATIONSHIP EMPHASIZED IN PROGRAM FOR FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS

Diversion: Deputies Initiated Sessions Using Education And Counseling
As Option To Juvenile Court

It's a Wednesday night ritual at the South County court: a dozen
teenagers arrested for drug- and alcohol-related crimes file into a
courtroom with their parents in tow.

But the youngsters have not come to be sentenced. They've come for
counseling.

Under a program launched by the Sheriff's Department, first-time drug
and alcohol offenders can choose to enter a diversion program instead
of facing charges in juvenile court.

Deputies initiated the program--called Stop Short of Addiction--after
watching a rapid rise in the number of juveniles arrested for drug-
related crimes over the past decade. Sheriff's officials said they felt
frustrated at not being able to help many of the offenders trapped in
the cycle of addiction.

"We have kids we encounter who say, 'I've got a problem. What should I
do?' " said Sheriff's Sgt. Roger Neumeister, who oversees the program.
"We're a front door for a lot of this stuff."

Stop Short conducts drug testing as well as intensive substance abuse
education and counseling. Run by the Orange County Bar Foundation, the
program also accepts juveniles referred by their parents. Organizers
are planning to expand the service beyond South County and to offer it
to schools.

In a departure from many diversion programs, Stop Short places a
special emphasis on the relationship between parents and teens. In many
cases, those bonds have frayed in recent years, and social workers
concentrate on rebuilding them.

Parents and children are encouraged to confront each other about their
feelings toward each other and the substance abuse. The sessions often
prove emotionally draining, especially for parents who didn't know how
serious their child's drug habit had become.

"Usually, there isn't a dry eye in the house," said Margie Diaz, a
social worker who runs the program.

Since March, when the program was launched, 57 juveniles have attended
the classes--ranging from a 12-year-old caught drinking alcohol to
older teens hooked on methamphetamine.

Graduation Just the Beginning

While offering a second chance for youngsters, the program is not an
easy ride, said a parent named Maureen, who asked that her last name
not be used. Her 17-year-old son entered the program in August after
deputies caught him with a small plastic bag of marijuana.

Offenders face lectures from recovering addicts and law enforcement
officials on the tragic--sometimes fatal--effects of drug use. And
youngsters who fail a drug test or refuse to attend sessions face the
prospect of juvenile court.

"There were no soft punches," Maureen said. "I think that this was a
real, true wake-up call for him."

After the last session, social workers evaluate each youngster,
referring those with serious addictions to further treatment. And in
all cases, social workers try to keep track of the progress the youths
make once they graduate from the program.

"We don't just slap them on the back and congratulate them at the end,"
Diaz said. "It's really only the beginning."