Juvenile Justice Success Stories in Alaska
When Amy (name changed to protect privacy) first came to the division’s attention she had multiple charges of minor consuming and substantial problems concerning alcohol. She was failing school and had no intentions to stop drinking. The turning point came when the Juneau Police Department received a call that Amy attempted suicide while intoxicated. Amy was detained at the Johnson Youth Center for probation violations after she violated her Conditions of Conduct by consuming alcohol and attempted to kill herself. She seemed to “wake up” after her suicide attempt.
Probation adjusted the structure of her home life to include a more restrictive and comprehensive check-in schedule, combined with outpatient drug and alcohol services. She discontinued her alcohol use and started attending intensive outpatient services, which she completed successfully. She attended the alternative high school where she was at the top of her class, on the honor role and earned student-of-the-year honors. Amy’s teachers praised her for her hard work and dedication.
Shortly after committing to sobriety, Amy learned she was pregnant. She believes that if it were not for the help she received from probation she would still be drinking, and she thanked Juvenile Justice staff for doing their jobs. Amy took on the responsibilities of parenthood with added determination and found employment and healthy activities she enjoyed, such as scrap booking, reading and spending time with family. She discontinued her negative relationships and made active efforts to engage in treatment, and started working toward independence by looking for her own home to raise her baby.
With all this momentum Amy had an overwhelming loss when her mother and aunt died unexpectedly months before her baby was born. Amy wrapped herself in family and community support and grieved for the loss of her loved ones while still maintaining her sobriety. Amy stepped up to support her 5-year-old brother and decided to take on the added responsibility of raising him. Amy still has big plans for her future and is currently finishing up a few high school credits, but looking to attend college at the University of Alaska in either business or nursing this spring. Amy has taken all the services Juneau has to offer and used them to make a better life for herself and the baby. She has built a support system for herself and no longer needs the support of Juvenile Justice.