In May of 2000, the Calcasieu Parish Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Program was created. The purpose of the Juvenile Drug Court is to provide comprehensive early intervention for court referred non-violent juvenile offenders who have an identified problem with alcohol or other drugs, by combining intensive field supervision, intensive counseling, weekly court appearances, and the utilization of all available community links.

Referrals to Juvenile Drug Court are made by individual case officers. Cases are staffed with the Drug Court Coordinator, then taken before a team consisting of the Judge, District Attorney, Public Defender, treatment provider, School Board representative, Mental Health representative, and the Juvenile Probation Officer. 

Once accepted, the offender is placed in the program where they meet with the counselor three times a week, the Probation Officer three times a week, and appear before the judge once a week.

Upon the completion of this program, the offender’s record can be expunged as a reward for completion. The Juvenile Drug Court program lasts an average of 9-12 months.