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Accessing Services
Children's Services
Juvenile Drug Court
Meridian currently operates three (3) Juvenile Drug Courts:
- Columbia County -- the Columbia Juvenile Drug Court program is a partnership between the 3rd Judicial Circuit, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Meridian.
- Suwannee County -- the Suwannee Juvenile Drug Court program is a partnership between the 3rd Judicial Circuit, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Meridian.
- Alachua County -- the Alachua Juvenile Drug Court program is a partnership between the 8th Judicial Circuit, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Meridian
The program provides intensive services to DJJ clients who have been adjudicated delinquent and have a substance use disorder. The Court takes a lead role in fostering participation in drug treatment. Delinquency court cases require close controls and joint coordination to maintain the safety of the client. This is accomplished through weekly staffings involving Juvenile Drug Court liaison staff from DJJ, the Court and Meridian.
A team comprised at minimum of a Court representative or Judge, Defense Counsel, DJJ Liaison, Meridian representative and State Attorney, reviews each case and establishes a treatment plan. The person served then attends a hearing at which the Court presents and reinforces this plan. Where action is needed, responsible agencies ensure follow through and report to the team at subsequent meetings.
Treatment is very intense with frequent court appearances and urinalysis designed to reinforce positive treatment efforts. There are rewards for treatment progress and negative sanctions for noncompliance. Under the auspices of the Court, DJJ staff and service providers plan interventions and sanctions and share information critical to child protection and treatment. Team members are dedicated to providing children an opportunity to overcome their substance abuse issues so they can stay in the community.