Schools and Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts: A Case Study on Treatment Access through Collaboration and Advocacy

Adolescent substance use is typically addressed from the perspectives of school personnel (e.g., teachers, school counselors, social workers, and resource officers) who interact daily with students in school settings. Consequences of adolescent substance use in the schools may include suspension or expulsion and possible legal involvement. However, many adolescents do not have access to evidence-based treatment to address drug and alcohol use. Services are often not available or fragmented, resulting in poor compliance with treatment and inadequate treatment outcomes for youth. Cross-sector collaboration among schools, community behavioral health agencies, and juvenile court service units offers an opportunity to improve access to care and efficiency in delivering care to adolescents with drug and alcohol problems. Illuminated through a single case study, embedded substance use treatment in schools through partnerships with the court service unit and community behavioral health providers can increase access to care. Counselors and social workers play a key role in advocating for joint efforts to increase service access and improve treatment outcomes. Advocacy efforts may include participation and leadership in community coalitions, training and consultation in evidence-based practices, and seamless communication across all organizations that serve youth with substance use disorders.