NCJ Number
77336
Journal
Journal of Juvenile Law Volume: 3 Dated: (June 1979) Pages: 22-30
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The evolution of a successful delinquency prevention and diversion program, the Mid-Valley Community Mental Health Council, Inc., in California's San Gabriel Valley is described.
Abstract
In response to an increasing drug problem among teenagers during the late 1960's in the city of Duarte, Calif., the town's Women's Club helped establish the Duarte Community Drug Abuse Council on the basis of an LEAA grant and matching funds from the community. The council's new director followed what was then a unique approach to drug abuse: no attempt was made to convince a user to cease use, but the underlying problems which led to drug use were sought out and dealt with. At the council's immediately successful facility, the Duarte Self Help Center, about 60 clients per day were seen on referrals from the police and schools and on self-referrals. As the center became more successful and widely known, city officials considered the possibility of a joint program with four other communities: Baldwin Park, Bradbury, El Monte, and South El Monte, Calif. With the help of a State grant for community drug abuse centers and an Office of Criminal Justice Planning grant for juvenile delinquency prevention efforts, the new Mid-Valley Community Mental Health Council was developed. A total of three clinics were placed in operation; a board of directors and an executive advisory board of 17 community representatives was established; and the staff was expanded from 6 to 23 full-time professionals and 14 part-time interns. The council has also initiated a truancy project, crisis intervention training for police officers, training for teachers in retaining students, and a 24-hour hotline. Because the council started on a relatively small scale, germinated by a nongovernmental community group, it is hoped that the program can be emulated elsewhere. Footnotes are included.