The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Minor-In-Possession (MIP) Diversion Program

Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism
Grand Island, NE

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Teenagers who get "mipped" by the local police in Hall County, Nebraska for possession of alcohol usually complain they have been unfairly singled out for doing what everyone else their age does. But by the time they have completed an educational intervention program conducted by the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism (CNCA), the local NCADD Affiliate, many believe they have been given a lucky break.

Within a week after they have been cited, first-time offenders (including minors who only may have been in the same car with other minors who had been drinking) receive a letter from the county attorney's office that gives them the option of participating in CNCA's Minor-in-Possession Diversion Program or going to court where, if convicted, a judge can fine them as much as $500 or even send them to jail. High school student assistance coordinators, who have been notified of the citation, also play a role by recommending the diversion program.

This kind of collaborative approach among the police, county attorney, high schools, agencies offering counseling services and CNCA produces results. According to the most recent statistics, 78--or 62%--of the 125 minors cited for possession chose the diversion program.

"However, we're not operating under any illusions," explains project coordinator Wendy McCarty. "Most of the kids initially come to us because we're a cheaper alternative and they realize it's a way of keeping their record clean."

Once they agree to complete the program, the teenagers are evaluated by a professional alcohol and other drug counselor who can recommend treatment, counseling or enrollment in a series of educational classes. Whatever the recommendation, the individual must comply and show proof of this before the county attorney drops the possession charges.

Few kids require treatment or counseling and when they show up for their first of four, two-hour classes at CNCA (also available in Spanish), they're usually more interested in bragging about their brush with the law than learning the comprehensive lessons developed by the Prevention Research Institute. But by the time they complete their exit interview, sometimes their attitudes have changed. One young man, who realized he probably was alcoholic even though he had been able to evade this diagnosis during his preliminary evaluation, asked for a list of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Another participant commented "I'm more disciplined . . . I know now what alcohol can do and its effects."

Statistics offer even more compelling evidence of the success that a community can have with such a diversion program instead of applying a "one-size-fits-all" punishment: only 5% of the individuals who completed the program during the 1996 fiscal year committed an additional offense compared to 24% of those who offenders who went to court.

Though the diversion program began in 1983, refinements are still being made. A recent development has included the scheduling of mandatory 90 minute classes for at least one parent for any participant under the age of 18. This gives CNCA an opportunity to encourage adults to take underage drinking more seriously.

"I'm right up front with them," says McCarty. "I begin the session by telling them that I know there are some parents in the room who don't think the fact that their child drinks is any big deal. Then I try to change their attitude." McCarty uses "What Should I Tell My Child About Drinking?," the NCADD-produced video, as a teaching tool and notes that it is particularly helpful for the parents of program participants who have younger brothers and sisters.

McCarty notes that this summer has been a particularly busy one in Grand Island, with increasing numbers of kids being arrested for possession of marijuana. In the early fall, she hopes to persuade county officials that these offenders be given a second chance, too.

This program won the 1997 NCADD Prevention and Education Commendation Award in 1997.

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National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)