Just as there are adults with substance abuse issues, there are also youth in Macomb County with substance abuse issues. A drug court, very similar to the adult drug court, is working to help kids get straight.

Just as there adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues, so too are there youth that qualify for a dual diagnosis. The Juvenile Dual Diagnosis Court attempts to intervene BEFORE these kids become adults who have been in and out of the system. The Juvenile Dual Diagnosis Court tries to catch kids in trouble and give them a chance to get the help they need to be both emotionally stable and substance free.

The program is still in its infancy. In the time it was nominated, only twenty-one (21) youth had participated but its success rate has been extraordinary. One hundred percent (100%) of those who participated remained sober throughout the period. With help from caseworkers and therapists are learning to confront their mental health issues, understand the importance of treatment and learning how to cope with life without tuning out with a harmful drug.

While we can't say for sure how long successful graduates will stay on track, we do know that it offers them a very real chance to get on the right path.