Members Present:
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring
Judge Bruce Romanick
Judge Wade Webb
Kris Haycraft
Brad Peterson
Deb Davis
Dale Rivard
Dr. Kevin Thompson
Ron Schneider
Birch Burdick
Nicole Leitner
Rep. Ron Carlisle
Dave McGeary
Deborah Carlson
Mary Hall
Jackie Presley
Melody Peterson
Members Absent:
Judge Karen Braaten
John Thelen
Tod Dahle
Brandi Sasse Russell
Steve Mottinger
Staff:
Marilyn Moe
The Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Committee met at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND on September 17, 2004. An IVN Conference was held between the advisory committee and Ellie Greewood and Brenda Desmond of the Missoula Youth Drug Court. Missoula gave the background of their court and provided information on four programs they have added to their drug court program. They presented information on their Parenting Program; Writing Program, Harvest Program, and Wellness Program. Missoula received an OJP Grant to provide technical assistance for other drug courts. The advisory committee has decided to have Ellie Greenwood come to North Dakota and train the court on the Parenting and Writing Programs. Marilyn Moe will make the arrangements.
The minutes of April 20, 2004, were approved.
Jackie Presley reported for the Bismarck team along with Judge Romanick. They currently have six participants. Dave McGeary, Director of South Central Juvenile Drug Court, stated that their probation officers were looking at juveniles with fewer of offenses and juveniles between the ages of 14 and 16. Brad Peterson, defense counsel, gave a short report on his training for defense counsel presented by the National Drug Court Institute. A discussion followed on the use of detention and participants who are in the program who turn 18 before graduation.
Kris Haycraft reported for the Fargo team. They currently they have six participants. Court Officer Nicole Leitner has been assigned to the Fargo juvenile drug court. Fargo has added new requirements for graduation. Participants must complete a jail tour and a visit to adult court. The participant must provide a written report to the judge. The team is also working on a parenting group. Drake and Wellness Center of Fargo have joined Fargo’s drug court team as treatment providers.
Deb Carlson reported for the Grand Forks team. They currently have seven participants. During the summer months court was held every other week. Court was replaced with a recreational activity with the participants every other week. Judge Deb Kleven will replace Judge Karen Braaten beginning October 1, 2004. Deb Davis, treatment provider, gave a report on the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the first adult and juvenile conference combined. Deb Davis recommended that the teams have training on the Strength Based Approach which was presented by Michael Clark. She also encouraged the advisory committee members to attend a presentation on October 25th that the National Institute of Health has put together. A team of professionals will be speaking on Drug Endangered Children. She attended their presentation in Grand Forks. The panel is the State’s Attorney from Las Cruces, New Mexico; a pediatric psychologist; a nurse from Oklahoma, pediatric psychologists from California and a lab person through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. She recommends that team members attend Fargo’s session because it covers the children that are being affected living in homes where Meth is being produced. Marilyn Moe will find out the details and forward it on to the team members.
Dr. Kevin Thompson provided the advisory committee with and Executive Summary on the South Central Juvenile Drug Court. He is also working on a school report and an adult recidivism report. It is his recommendation that the courts adopt the Writing and Parenting Programs that Missoula presented. It is his opinion that the courts would benefit greatly by using these programs.
The committee discussed Redwood Toxicology and drug test results. The committee discussed Paul Carey’s article on Urine Drug Concentrations. Marilyn Moe provided the group with an email from Redwood which listed their certifications. Justice Maring asked that the teams meet and discuss their drug testing procedures and whether or not they want to continue with Redwood. They are to provide that information at the next advisory meeting. Marilyn Moe will check out other companies about their turnaround time and costs.
Justice Maring stated she was concerned about the length of time we are keeping participants in the program. She encouraged the teams to keep the participants in for one year. There is a concern with the group that we are not providing aftercare for our participants and they have no follow-up after they leave the program. Justice Maring requested that each team discuss their criteria and discuss the length of their programs.
The committee discussed the criteria for admittance into the program that has been set by this committee. Drug courts must follow certain criteria if they are being funded with Federal Dollars. Bismarck’s court is the only one being funded with Office of Justice funds.
The committee also discussed transitioning juveniles from juvenile drug court to adult drug court. Justice Maring asked if this would need legislation but committee members felt it would not.
Justice Maring stated her concerns with the burden on the Department of Human Services in the next biennium. She expressed her concern with the availability of treatment for drug courts.
Rep. Ron Carlisle presented a Draft Bill in regards to drug testing and adulteration. Dale Wetzel from the Associated Press is doing a story on urine adulteration that is taking place in our court system. The committee agreed with the adulteration problem.
Ron Schneider reported on the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Summit in Mandan. Some of the presentations included Social Norms, Curriculum and Health, Binge Drinking, and the National Drug Policy. The Summit registration fee was waived for drug court team members.
Kris Haycraft reported that the staffing committee for the Strategic Plan has not met yet. They will have a meeting soon and send their plan to Marilyn Moe. Marilyn will compile the information from the committees and present the Strategic Plan at the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2005, in Fargo.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted.
Marilyn Moe