Juvenile Drug Court starts gender-specific self-esteem therapy

CHARLESTON – The female participants of the Boone and Lincoln Juvenile Drug Court recently participated in a court-supervised, gender-specific self-esteem program.

Juvenile Drug Court emphasizes positive social activities and role models. The program was designed to boost their self-esteem by teaching them appropriate dress and

On July 28, the girls were taken to Sephora Cosmetics in JCPenney at the Charleston Town Center Mall for make-overs and instruction on how to appropriately wear make-up. They also learned how to dress and present themselves for job interviews and professional working environments.

“It was a thrill to work with the girls, both personally and professionally,” said Sephora Manager Jennifer Blair. “We are from the same area, so I bonded with them very quickly. JCPenney’s and Sephora are very proud to participate in the program and wish them success."

Staff from Juvenile Drug Court and the Tri-County Youth Report Center in Madison also treated the drug court participants to lunch at Outback.

“It’s very important to emphasize both gender-specific and self-esteem programs in juvenile drug court," said Judge William Thompson of the 25th Judicial Circuit that includes Boone and Lincoln counties. "Boone County is a very poor area, and low self-esteem in kids is a large part of the drug problem it eventually leads to.

"We can’t ignore this fact or pretend that punishments correct the problem. Pro-social people, places, and things are the key.”

Drug Courts are spread across West Virginia and operated by the West Virginia Supreme County of Appeals’ Division of Probation Services. Each court is administered by a local judge and addresses local issues.

The intensive supervision program has three phases and a graduation. Participants must attend treatment provided by the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services and see a judicial officer weekly. They must attend school and submit to drug screens.