12 youths finish court programs

YOUNGSTOWN -- Twelve youths graduated from treatment and counseling programs Wednesday at Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
Three graduates were from the court's residential substance abuse treatment program.
RSAT is an intensive, 90-day residential program whose primary focus is on treatment of substance abuse in adolescents. A total of 28 youths now have completed the program since September 2002.
Five youths graduated from the treatment court program, meaning that they completed an intensive three-phase probation program that includes treatment for mental health and chemical dependency.
Four youths graduated from the court's day-reporting program. They successfully completed the 120-day program that deals with life skills, anger management and decision-making.
The program also emphasizes education and academic achievement.
Nate Pinkard, chief of the Mill Creek MetroParks police, and Youngstown Councilman Rufus Hudson, D-2nd, who also serves as chairman of the county mental health board, participated in the ceremony.