AOC develops early intervention strategies to prevent youth substance abuse

AOC develops early intervention strategies to prevent youth substance abuse

October 1, 2026

The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts is strengthening efforts to identify children and youth at risk of drug abuse and increasing emphasis on substance abuse prevention.

The AOC is spearheading a transformative effort to enhance how the state’s youth court system identifies and responds to youth substance use. In partnership with the non-profit Center for Children and Family Futures, CCFF, the AOC is implementing a comprehensive initiative designed to create early identification pathways, bridge service gaps, and connect young people and their families to meaningful, youth-specific and family-centered treatment and support.

AOC Youth Court Program Director Vicki Lowery said, “AOC is grateful to be working alongside Children and Family Futures, youth courts, agencies and providers to identify and refer youth with substance use disorders to care before their needs escalate.”

Alexis Balkey, Program Director for Children and Family Futures, said, “This initiative focuses on shifting away from punitive measures toward family-centered, early intervention strategies. By strengthening cross-system collaboration and providing in-depth training, the AOC is building a more responsive, sustainable system of care that supports long-term recovery and well-being for Mississippi’s youth and families.”

Youth Court intake officers are the first court staff to evaluate children and youth who encounter the court. Intake officers began receiving training in April to improve their ability to identify signs of substance abuse by youth and their families. The interactive training equipped frontline staff with practical, trauma-informed strategies to conduct effective intake conversations, recognize substance use indicators and utilize standardized screening tools.

Intake supervisor Abby Young said, “This program is preventative, but it’s also going to allow us to properly identify and make appropriate referrals for youth with substance use concerns early.”

The effort will focus on five core objectives:
• Creating a pathway for early identification by intake officers and formulating the most appropriate recommendation;
• Increasing access to substance use disorder treatment for youth;
• Implementing a family-centered approach to improve youth engagement and retention in treatment;
• Educating and training intake officers and other court professionals and other system partners; and
• Expanding youth-specific substance use disorder services in rural communities.

In an effort to establish consistent practices statewide, AOC and CCFF developed a draft Youth Substance Use Early Identification Protocol. The protocol provides clear, step-by-step guidance on early identification, risk screening and referral processes tailored to adolescent development.

The program is expected to be implemented statewide. Preparations for pilot sites are expected to be completed in early October. Counties participating as pilot sites are Grenada, Hancock, Jones, Marion, Pike, Tunica, Washington and Wayne counties. Eight pilot sites were selected to include a diverse group of jurisdictions. An initial service mapping and gap analysis was conducted to pinpoint available community-based treatment resources, evaluate funding pathways, and identify critical resource needs, particularly in rural areas.

Jones County Court Judge Wayne Thompson said, “Rural counties have minimal treatment options when it comes to juvenile drug addiction. This program hopes to generate pretrial intervention options that rehabilitate juveniles before having to enter a formal court proceeding.

Jones County is excited to be a part of this pilot program and we are appreciative to Vicki Lowery and the Administrative Office of Courts for allowing us to participate. We are hopeful and excited for the results.”

Hancock County Court Judge Trent Favre said, “Over the years on the bench, I have seen a proliferation of youth drug use. In particular, since the legalization of marijuana, the number of substance involved children has been steadily rising. These are not just ‘bad’ kids. Many of the youth we encounter tell us they use marijuana or other drugs because they feel anxious, depressed or they can’t sleep.”

Judge Favre said, “I see a need for more early intervention strategies. The goal cannot be only to help kids stop using drugs. We need to connect youth to the resources they need so they can replace drugs with healthy coping skills. When schools and law enforcement identify children who are involved in the youth court system and test positive for drug use, we need to have processes in place that connect the child and their family with the resources they need.”

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