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Reclaiming Futures Orange/Chatham Counties, is one of 26 Reclaiming Futures projects using a new approach to help teens involved with drugs, alcohol, and crime. Coordinated by the Mental Health Association in Orange County, we aim to build upon our evolving justice system, led by the innovative Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner, and use the Reclaiming Futures model to better serve court-involved youth with substance abuse needs. We strongly believe in connecting these youth to effective treatment rather than committing them to training schools and detention centers.

Some youth in Orange and Chatham Counties are in trouble. Statistics from the Department of Juvenile Justices (DJJ) show that in Orange County, 22 percent of youth in the justice system have some level of family substance use/abuse and 42 percent indicate some need for substance abuse assessment and/or treatment. In Chatham County, 38 percent of court-involved youth have noted family substance use/abuse, and 47 percent come from homes where family members have criminal history, which often involves drug or alcohol related charges.

At Reclaiming Futures, we are working to improve the quality of alcohol and drug treatment services available to youth in our justice system. We plan to do the following to help young people in our area:

• Improve treatment services for drug and alcohol use
• Create a comprehensive system of care that coordinates social services, and
• Involve the community in creating new opportunities for youth.

Our core partners
Orange Person Chatham Local Management Entity
Mental Health Association in Orange County
Department of Juvenile Justice
15-B District Court Judges Office
Chatham Community for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth
Healthy Carolinians in Orange County
Chatham Collaborative for Child Well Being
Orange Collaborative for Child Well Being
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

If you’re interested in joining us in this important effort, please contact
Contact: Billie J. Guthrie, M.S.W., Project Director
Address: 3729 Murphy School Road
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 942-8083, ext. 1
Email: bguthrie@mhaorangeco.org