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Exit Survey
 
 
This survey is the first part of a two-stage process designed to collect the opinions and experiences of juvenile drug court teams throughout South Carolina. We will use this survey to learn about similarities and differences across drug court programs that are currently operating in South Carolina, gather various experiences and viewpoints of team members, and report the findings of the survey. Results should be useful in guiding decision-making surrounding the further development and expansion of juvenile drug courts in the Southeast.

This survey is intended for juvenile drug court program coordinators and team members, and should take around 10 minutes to complete. You will be asked about the general characteristics of the either the adult drug court program, or the juvenile drug court program, depending upon your role. This information will address local demographics, target population, program structure, team structure and contact information, and other information regarding your drug court program.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

Brian Fuleihan

University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
 
 
 
PART ONE
 
 
 
1. If you wish to provide your name, please type it here. (Please remember, identifying information is for researcher tracking purposes only, and will be kept strictly confidential)
   
 
 
 
2. Are you the member of the juvenile drug court team?
NOTE: IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF AN ADULT OR OTHER DRUG COURT TEAM, PLEASE BASE YOUR ANSWERS ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A JUVENILE DRUG COURT TEAM MEMBER
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
3. What is your position?
 
Judge
 
Treatment provider or counselor
 
Case Manager
 
Drug Court Coordinator
 
Solicitor
 
Public Defender
 
Juvenile Justice Officer
 
Probation/Community Corrections Officer
 
Social Worker
 
School Representative
 
School Resource Officer
 
Other Law Enforcement Officer
 
Other
 
 
 
 
4. How long have you been working in your current position?
 
One year or less
 
More than one year but less than five years
 
Five to ten years
 
More than ten years
 
 
 
5. Approximately how much of your time is devoted to drug court duties?
 
25% or less
 
26% to 50%
 
51% to 75%
 
76% to 100%
 
 
 
6. Do you volunteer your time for the drug court program?
 
Yes
 
No, my job requires me to participate
 
Other
 
 
 
 
PART TWO
 
 
7. The following statements concern core components of the drug court model. In your experience, do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree Don't know
a. Major decisions are made collaboratively by the team
b. Clients must meet distinct substance dependence criteria to be eligible
c. Only licensed providers are used to provide services to the drug court participants
d. Our drug court has well-established policies and procedures
e. Drug and alcohol testing is performed routinely enough to be effective
f. Our drug court judge plays an active role in the program
g. The solicitor and defense attorney attend case staffings
h. Treatment services are appropriate to the needs of participants
i. Sanctions are applied swiftly
j. The drug court conducts regular court sessions
k. Our judge takes an interest in well-being of clients
l. Team members receive ongoing training and attend state or national drug-court conferences
 
 
8. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements that best describe what might reflect the theoretical orientation of your drug court:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree Don't know
The use of sanctions and rewards shapes behavior through principles of deterrence
The drug court model can help solve underlying problems which cause criminal behavior and drug use
A fair and open process motivates clients to change their behavior
Peer influences are critical for juveniles and should be a primary focus of the program
 
 
9. Several differences between adult and juvenile drug courts have been identified by researchers and practitioners. According to your own opinion, please indicate your level of agreement with the following:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree Don't know
Juveniles should not be in the same type of substance abuse treatment programs as adults
Juveniles in general are not clinically dependent upon drugs and alcohol
Adolescent drug users do not believe alcohol and drug use is wrong
Defense counsel should be more involved in advocating for a juvenile's best interest during the drug court program
A great deal of energy and resources in juvenile drug courts are spent on problems other than substance use
Juvenile drug court clients have not "hit bottom" like many adults
High-risk youth respond better in drug courts than do low-risk youths
Alcohol and marijuana are the primary drugs of abuse among juvenile drug court clients
The treatment plays a key role in juvenile drug court participants' success
The judge plays a key role in juvenile drug court participants' success
Rewards and sanctions play a key role in juvenile drug court participants' success
Adolescents are able to understand the linkage between drug use and negative consequences
 
 
10. The following questions address the "overall fit" of the drug court model for treating adolescent drug users in the juvenile justice system. According to your own opinion, please indicate your level of agreement with the following:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree Don't know
Adult and juvenile drug courts should differ in philosophy and operations
The juvenile drug court resembles the adult drug court
The juvenile drug court fits well within the juvenile justice system
The juvenile court needs a separate court to handle to handle drug-involved youthful offenders
Juveniles respond well to the "drug court theatre" courtroom routine
Juvenile drug courts reduce substance abuse among youths who participate
Judicially-monitored treatment for juveniles is more effective than treatment without judicial oversight
Evidence from adult drug court effectiveness can be applied to juveniles
Juvenile drug courts require much more time, energy, and resources than do adult drug courts
Juvenile drug court programs are too costly to sustain
The drug court model plays a key role in juvenile drug court particpants' success
 
 
11. The following questions concern the types of clients you believe are most suited for a drug court program. Do you agree or disagree that the following types of clients are well-suited for drug court:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree Don't know
Clients who have an incarceration history
Clients who have a verifiable history of alcohol and drug abuse
Clients who have prior treatment for mental health issues other than substance use
Clients having been arrested before the age of 16
Clients who have been suspended or expelled from school
Clients who live in an unstable family environment
 
 
 
12. In your opinion, what are the benefits of using the drug court model for treating adolescent substance users in the juvenile justice system? This information will be very helpful. Please type your answers below
   
 
 
 
13. In your opinion, what are the liabilities, or problems, with using the drug court model for treating adolescent substance users in the juvenile justice system. Again, this information will be very helpful. Please type your answers below:
   
 
 
 
The following questions concern the core strategies of your juvenile drug court program.
 
 
14. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree Don't know
The JDC team supports the concept that not all youth suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, but rather abuse
There are various types of sober support models (e.g., SMART recovery) and they are offered to participants
Treatment providers offer program services that focus on the gender-specific factors that lead to substance abuse
The JDC team understands that culture shapes how youth behave and respond to situations
The JDC team carefully balances information provided by outside services and support (e.g., treatment, education) with information provided by the youth and family during JDCDC staffings
The parents and/or guardians are required to attend court
There are services made available to parents to address their unique needs (e.g., substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, employment training referral, and housing)
The schools are supportive and advocate for the youth involved in the JDC
The drug testing procedure is clearly outlined for both program purposes and for participating youth and families
The incentives and sanctions are juvenile appropriate
The JDC uses detention as a last resort
The incentives and sanctions are consistent and fair but still maintain a degree of individualism
The incentives and sanctions are applied using research and evidence-based principles
There is a documented procedure in the JDC policy and procedure manual to ensure confidentiality requirements are maintained
 
 
15. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following:
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree Don't know
The stakeholders have a voice in the oversight and operation of the JDC
Team members share in the philosophy and mandates of the JDC model
The team only accepts juveniles who meet the targeting and eligibility criteria
The team utilizes numerous screening and assessments tools, so the team can make well informed decisions about program acceptance
The judge is receptive to team discussions and decisions
The judge is the leader and advocate of the JDC program
Comprehensive, individualized plans are created for each youth
Treatment providers access a continuum of services for youth and are specially trained in the treatment of adolescents
The screening and assessment of youth occurs before the youth is accepted into the JDC program and is conducted by a qualified professional
Treatment providers incorporate and utilize cognitive-behavioral and restructuring therapies
The JDC team understands that each youth presents at different emotional and psychological stages, and therefore treatments and interventions are matched to their developmental stage
 
 
 
Program Characteristics
 
 
 
16. In which state is your juvenile drug court located?
 
 
 
17. In which judicial district is the drug court located (South Carolina Only)?
 
 
 
18. What type of jurisdiction would you say your drug court mainly serves?
 
City/municipality
 
Mostly rural
 
Both rural and municipal
 
Covers multiple rural counties
 
Other
 
 
 
 
19. What is the approximate population of your service area?
 
 
 
20. About how many clients are enrolled in your program at one time?
 
 
 
21. Must a youth be adjudicated as delinquent before participating in your program?
 
Yes
 
No
 
Don't Know
 
 
 
22. Upon successful completion of the program, is the juvenile's charge dismissed, or the finding of delinquency reversed?
 
Yes
 
No
 
Don't Know
 
 
 
23. What year did your drug court begin operating (If not sure, what is your best guess)?
 
 
 
24. According to your opinion, please rank (1-4) the following in order of importance when considering a client's admission to drug court:
Severity of substance use/misuse disorder
Delinquent peer association
Family environment
Prior history of delinquency
 
 
 
25. To your knowledge, has the eligibility determination process changed over time?
 
Yes
 
No
 
Don't know
 
 
 
26. How successful do you think the drug court program has been in accomplishing its goals?
 
Not successful
 
Somewhat successful
 
Moderately successful
 
Extremely successful
 
I don’t have enough information to answer this question
 
 
 
Additional Demographic Information
 
 
 
27. Please enter any other comments you may have on your work experience as a juvenile drug court team member.