Court room role-play drama scheduled for Aug 7th. Posted by:Lloyd Woodward--Wednesday, August 04, 2010

A PSST parent, we call her Candy, is asking for help. Her daughter Torrie has to be in Court next week. Her daughter is progessing in her drug addicition and this is an important window for the the parents to intervene. We want to help Candy and her husband be ready. So on Saturday, after very brief introductions, we will move furniture, choose roles and we will be off to the races! I also will post some rules about role-plays for those of you who may not have been to one of our meetings.



Court room role-plays have been one of our most popular learning tools. Traditionally, we choose someone to play the Judge who is trying to be lenient with the teenager. Next, we get a parent to play one of those Public Defenders who want to win no matter what that means for the teen and the family. Of course, Judges and even Public Defenders are people and you can't paint them all with the same brush. I've seen a tough aggressive PD suddenly change completely on a different case where he was clearly worried about his client and her drug problem.

Still, when we do the role-play, we try to provide the most challenging situation for a parent. What if you only got The Court to act in your teenager's behalf because you stood up in Court and demanded and pleaded for inpatient drug treatment or for probation? What if no one was going to try to save your teenager unless you led the way? Pretty scary. It can happen. Usually it doesn't happen- but I've seen it happen. Why not be prepared?

I have posted the details of the petition minus the identifing information below.

I think we will have time to share more after the role-play among ourselves.



Ms. [Intake Officer]
We are writing for concern of our daughter, Torrie. We decided to file the drug possession charges against her to help save her life. In the last year, Torrie's drug addiction has spiraled out of control despite being to inpatient rehab twice in the last eleven months and attending Gateway intensive outpatient rehab until May of this year. Her aggressive and self destructive behavior is now at an all time high. She has progressed to harder more dangerous substances and has removed herself from her family and anyone who cares about her. Her hearing is scheduled for next [near future]. We are truly hoping the Judge will order her for evaluation and drug rehabilitation to save her.

(Torries parents)

Rules:
1. No one is forced to participate in a role-play. I'm the only I know of that has tried to break this rule. Don't let me do it. Sometimes people get more out of watching the role-play, and we have always had plenty of volunteers.

2. Anyone can call Time Out at any time including the watchers. We use the universal "T" signal and say "Time Out." Then, we entertain questions, ideas, or offers to switch chairs with someone.

3. We can switch seats when it seems like a good idea. It's a chance to let other get involved and see what their ideas can do.


According to the information and belief of [Candy and her husband, PRIVATE COMPLAINT], on or between the dates of 3/1/2110 and 4/13/2010 in Allegheny County, said Juvenile did commit the following acts(s):

35780-113A16 M PROHIBITED ACTS - POSSESSION (1 count)
POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
The actor knowingly or intentionally possessed a controlled or counterfeit substance, namely,unknown prescription pills the said actor not then and there being registered under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, Act of April 14, 1972, or a practitioner registered or licensed by the appropriate State Board, in violation of 35 P.S.

Said child was in possession of unknown prescription pills.

35780-113A31 M PROHIBITED ACTS (1 count)
SMALL AMOUNT - MARIJUANA OR HASHISH

The actor possessed for personal use thirty or fewer grams of marijuana or eight or fewer grams of hashish, a small amount, in violation of 35 P.S. §780-113 (a) (31).
SMALL AMOUNT - MARIJUANA OR HASHISH

Said child was in possession of suspected marijuana.