Bonus Roundup: What to Do about K2 - and More

Events - Juvenile Justice and Adolescent Substance Abuse

• September is National Youth Court Month, and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) has posted resources about them to celebrate. Also called "teen courts" and "peer courts," youth courts are an alternative disposition for youth who've committed low-level, first-time offenses in which teens hold each other accountable. (Hat tip to OJJDP.) UPDATED: Global Youth Justice is hosting a conference titled, "Establish or Enhance a local Teen Court/Youth Court Diversion Program," December 7-9, 2010, in Las Vegas. (H/t to John Kelly at Youth Today.)
• Don't miss out on the National Take Back Initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Held on September 25, 2010, 10am-2pm (local time, I believe), law enforcement agencies are collaborating with the DEA to collect unused prescription drugs.  Find a collection site near you. (H/t to @SPHEREproject.)

• Curious about public attitudes on crime and punishment? The Pew Center on the States’ Public Safety Performance Project is hosting a 90-minute webinar on September 14th, 11am PST / 1 pm CST / 2 pm EST, to discuss results of a recent national poll and focus grouops on this issue. Register here. (H/t to the National Reentry Resource Center.)

 
Juvenile Justice System & Adolescent Treatment News and Resources

• Youth detained during Hurricane Katrina were virtually forgotten when it came time to evacuate New Orleans five years ago. Horrific stories surfaced of their ordeal. Five years later, the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana is republishing its original report on their treatment, "Treated Like Trash," together with a report on important detention  reforms that have taken place -- and recommendations for next steps.  The new publication is called, "Trash to Triumph: Juvenile Detention in New Orleans."
• Work with teens dealing with the sudden death of someone close to them? Need to give parents information about how trauma can be treated? Get a copy of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's (NCTSN) new curriclum, The Courage to Remember. You can order the curriculum by calling 1-877-726-4727, and asking for publication number SMA-4303. (Hat tip to Paul Savery.)
  • Related post: Juvenile courts don't always remember the impact trauma can have on a teen's life. See this post for 10 things courts should keep in mind about teens and trauma.
• K2, the "synthetic marijuana" that is legal in many places, presents a challenge for juvenile drug courts. Now you can download this report, "Spice, K2 and the Problem of Synthetic Cannabinoids," by Paul L. Cary, MS. Mr. Cary is a toxicologist whose work I've posted before on the importance of observing urine tests, and why you should avoid using UA levels in drug court proceedings.