IV. Unique Role of the Court

• Date: 01 February 1995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6988.1995.tb01303.x
• Published date: 01 February 1995

Iv.

Unique

Role

of

the

Court

The

court is

a

unique and vital institution within the American system

of

government. The

court’s fundamental responsibility is to assure that all members

of

society are protected from

ham by law. Juvenile and family courts have, within this system, the equally important

responsibility to protect the best interests

of

children, families, and communities. These

responsibilities convey

to

the courts a vital role on behalf

of

society and especially on behalf

of

children and their families, to reduce the harmful efects

of

substance abuse.

26.

Judicial Leadership

Judges must assert community leadership

for

prevention and treatment

of

substance abuse

among children and their families.

Judges have a mandate to assert leadership

to

assure that effective substance abuse

programs are developed and sustained. Such leadership should involve all of the major systems

within the community, both public

and

private, in order to develop

a

comprehensive approach

to

the complex social, legal, health,

and

behavior issues connected with substance abuse.

Judges should establish

and

maintain active communication with probation,

schools, public health, mental health, social services, law enforcement, parent

groups,

and

other appropriate agencies

and

institutions in the community to

combat substance abuse among juveniles

and

their families.

In their community leadership roles, judges should advocate:

.

protection

of

the child

.

the involvement of the family

.

accountability

of

the juvenile

protection

of

the community

1995

I

Juvenile

and

Family

Court

Journal

41