Troubled Teens Resources

One method of teen crisis intervention being employed in various cities around the country is teen court. This method of meting out justice has proven successful, often saving a out-of-control teen from offending again and landing in boot camps or schools for troubled teens.

“Teen Court has been a voluntary option for first-time juvenile offenders in Lawrence County for the past 12 years. The biggest benefit Teen Court affords the offender is a second chance, a chance to keep their record clean through successful completion of the Teen Court program and process. If the juvenile offender successfully completes the Teen Court program, their case is dismissed and their juvenile record remains clean.”

It seems peers do not like coming in front of their peers and being judged and such a judgement seems to be a strong factor for later deterrence.

The benefits the program holds for the community are two-fold. One is a focus on restorative justice, coupled with measures to deter first-time offenders from re-offending and, two, a savings to taxpayers. “We are making an impact with youth upon their first arrest. Being judged by their peers sends a strong message that this is not acceptable behavior. It is our goal to deter these first-time offenders, so we don’t see them as second, third or chronic offenders in the system,” said Todd.

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“I, too, am tired of seeing the crosses on the side of the road everywhere you go in this county,” Barsanti said. “Part of that is I think we kind of dropped the ball on teenage alcohol abuse.”

Perhaps that is the problem. First time offenders, be they teenage pot smokers or troubled teens in for their first alcohol related offense,too frequently return to home and school without any sense of paying the price or having had to undergo uncomfortable consequences.

“Kane County State’s Attorney John Barsanti detailed Thursday a countywide initiative aimed at 17- to 21-year-old who have run afoul of police or school authorities for the second time for drinking or occasional use of marijuana.

These young adults weren’t scared straight by their first misstep and need a tougher consequence, as well as counseling, officials said.”

Teen Crisis Intervention

This new method of teen crisis intervention mimics the highly regarded Geneva program in Illinois which has been noted for effectively turning back the tide on teenage drug and alcohol abuse.

“Anecdotally, Geneva police said they saw a change about four years into the program. Repeat calls to the same houses dropped off. Teens stopped loitering in groups in parking lots. Vandalism and car break-ins dropped. The trend of reduced crime has continued along with the intervention program, said Baker, a sergeant on the Geneva Police Department.”

Instead of “slap on the wrist”, second time offenders face a united network of school,courts, police and parents - the first such program to emphasize having parties working in union as a united front to thwart further adventures into drugs and alcohol.

Consequences

“Where Geneva used as threats potential police consequences such as city tickets for smoking, curfew violations, truancy and disorderly conduct for youths, prosecutors will use potential criminal charges for possession of liquor or drugs.

The threat put weight behind the rules of parents and police. Failure to stop threatening parents, attend school, stay clean or attend counseling can result in charges being filed.”
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