(Winston Salem Journal) A U.S. Justice Department grant of $1.23 million has been awarded to CenterPoint Human Services and Insight Human Services to assist with forming a juvenile drug treatment court in Forsyth County.
Insight is a division of Partnership for a Drug Free NC Inc.
CenterPoint officials said Forsyth was one of three sites selected nationally for the program. It will receive the money over four years from the agency’s Office of Justice Programs in conjunction with the national Reclaiming Futures program.
The program is geared toward nonviolent youths ages 12 to 16 who abuse alcohol or other substances and are in the court system. Dr. Sam Gray, clinical psychologist for Insight, will oversee it.
Drug treatment courts are for addicted offenders who are convicted of misdemeanors or low- to midlevel felonies. The program allows them to stay in treatment and avoid prison as long as they comply with the conditions of their probation.
The court would work with Forsyth County Reclaiming Futures. That group seeks to ensure that every person who goes through the juvenile justice system is assessed for substance abuse and mental health issues.
“This model is proven to be successful in steering young people away from crime and substance abuse toward positive, productive activities,” said Betty Taylor, CenterPoint’s chief executive officer.
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