Vanderburgh County Juvenile Drug Court Received State Recertification

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The Vanderburgh County Juvenile Drug Court has received its State recertification just prior to celebrating its tenth year anniversary. The Drug Court founded by Judge Brett Niemeier in 2002 was the first Drug Court in the State of Indiana for teenagers who have significant drug issues. Judge Niemeier stated that the Drug Court is still one of the only Drug Courts in the state for youth. Niemeier stated, “The success of our Drug Court has been remarkable.”
The Drug Court, which is patterned off adult drug court models, requires participants to receive treatment, attend AA meetings, and a Court designed support group. The teenagers are randomly drug screened and appear in Court weekly for their progress to be monitored. Once a teenager shows progress the Court slowly requires less Court dates, but continues to monitor the youth until they successfully complete the entire program. Judge Niemeier stated, “The program is tough. Weekly supervision results in immediate sanctions when the youth do not follow the rules. Plus, we are not only checking on the drug usage, but how they are doing at school and at home.”
“The state`s certification is important to the Court as it proves that we are running the Drug Court using the best practices, so we can get the best results, “ stated Judge Niemeier. Being certified also means the Court has a better chance at receiving grants from the Indiana Supreme Court and the Vanderburgh County Substance Abuse Council. Niemeier stated both entities have supported the drug court in the past. No taxpayers` dollars are used to operate the program.
Judge Niemeier stated, “The hard work we put into getting these teenagers off drugs pays huge dividends for them, their families, and the entire community. Everybody wins when we turn these kids around.”
Judge Niemeier also announced that the Court`s Parents` Drug Court was awarded a $33,000 grant from the Indiana Supreme Court. The Parents` Drug Court, the first of its kind in Indiana, has been in operation for nine years. The Parents` Drug Court primarily works with methamphetamine addicts who have had their children removed from their care. Niemeier said the grant money will be used to enhance programming for the addicts and their families. “Support groups are essential in keeping parents from returning to their old ways and the money is a drop in the bucket compared to the costs caused by parents remaining on drugs. We are thrilled that the Supreme Court recognizes our great work and the value of our drug court”, stated Niemeier.

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13 COMMENTS

  1. Great job Judge! Keep up the good work, and know that there are many prayers behind you. Your accomplishments speak volumes for your character and ability to hold that office. God bless.

  2. Brett came to one of our neighborhood meetings a few months ago. He is very knowledgeable in his field. He discussed in enough detail, the problems that are faced today and how they are being handled. He has worked hard for his job and deserves our respect for the job he does. Good luck in the election Niemeier!

  3. you gotta admire someone who can run a program such as this and use no taxpayer dollars to fund it. Judge Neimier shoud certainly be reelected.

  4. I have every confidence that He is dedicated to helping reset so many young lives,– that pass before him. I rarely vote for an incumbant , but this is this man’s calling in life. Thank you Judge Neimeier, you have made a difference!

  5. I’ll vote for him, sorry to say all the lemings will just remember the 2 million billboards and the “models” passing ot their munchie maps. All of those have nothing to do with the fact Neimier has done a good job and deseres to be re-elected. I too will probably vote out the other incumbants unless they show where they have made a positive impact in their tenure.

  6. Why is the parent drug court primarily for meth addicts? Prescription drugs are just as bad, if not worse. By best practice to get the best results, don’t you mean the participants are hand selected to get the best results? Also, taxpayers do pay for a good portion of treatment for those participating in these programs who don’t have insurance. So what does the $33,000 pay for? It is nice to see Brent get so involved in the community for the first year of his 12 year career. If he was so concerned, why did he not attend any meetings until a few months ago. Brent seems to really to stand on a soap box and praise himself but has never mentioned his workers. If it was not for his staff he would not have anything. It always amazes me when career politicians start showing community involvement the year of an election.

    • First of all if you are going to criticize – let’s at least try to get the name right. his name is Brett- not Brent – and he has been involved with various community organizations since before he was elected Judge and took office 12 years ago. If you actually read the article closely, you would have noticed that this is the 10th year for the juvenile drug court – confirming that Judge Niemeier started it. The parent drug court was the first of its kind in Indiana, and amoung the first in the nation actually. Primarily, the drug issues in this area are meth related, although Judge has had other drug addicted and alcohol addicted individuals participate as well. As for the best practice, there are qualifications required to be in drug court, and the qualifications are geared toward making sure this precious service is used for individuals who acknowledge their problems and want to succeed. If you want to actually know what Judge has been involved in, which is quite a bit- visit his website.

  7. Yes, the CHINS drug court is a unique idea. What is the criteria for a parent to be accepted into the parent drug court? You make mention that the selected parent has to want to succeed, so this is a voluntary program which would ultimately produce a high success rate. Also, it was mentioned that a grant of $33,000 was awarded to the drug court. What does that money go for and I thought that if a grant is given that proof was requested to see how the program met the goals and objectives of the drug court!

    • My understanding is that any and ALL information regarding a public grant is also available to the public. Instead of being yet another person who wants everyone else to do their work for them, why don’t you just do your own homework. That way you will have ALL the answers you want and can even post those answers for everyone else who may be interested. BTW have you ever personally seen the effects of a child born to a meth addict? A heroine addict? A addict of prescription meds? Addicts are not the only objectives of drug court. A meeting with only one child whose ENTIRE LIFE is dramatically different to any other child on this planet, a meeting with pre-teens who KNOW their parents love drugs more than them, I promise you would support any effort to stop any and all drugs being abused. Could you please explain how you can help someone who does not want nor will accept help. Kinda think that might answer the volunteer question.

      • Please read:
        ABA MODEL CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (1983)

        PREAMBLE1
        The Model Code of Professional Responsibility points the way to the aspiring and provides standards by which to judge the transgressor. Each lawyer must find within his own conscience the touchstone against which to test the extent to which his actions should rise above minimum standards. But in the last analysis it is the desire for the respect and confidence of the members of his profession and of the society which he serves that should provide to a lawyer the incentive for the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The possible loss of that respect and confidence is the ultimate sanction. So long as its practitioners are guided by these principles, the law will continue to be a noble profession. This is its greatness and its strength, which permit of no compromise.

        Please remember the Bar Association approved Judge Niemeier by 97%….But in the last analysis it is the desire for the respect and confidence of the members of his profession and of the society which he serves that should provide to a lawyer the incentive for the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The possible loss of that respect and confidence is the ultimate sanction.

  8. also:
    CANON 1. A LAWYER SHOULD ASSIST IN MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY AND COMPETENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION
    ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

    EC 1-1

    A basic tenet of the professional responsibility of lawyers is that every person in our society should have ready access to the independent professional services of a lawyer of integrity and competence. Maintaining the integrity and improving the competence of the bar to meet the highest standards is the ethical responsibility of every lawyer.

    There is much more…that Mr. Blackard needs to re-visit before continuing attacks on Judge Niemeier.

  9. More feathers in Judge Niemeier’s cap! Being swayed by free Ipads, Icemen Tickets and every other “vote buying” gimmick of the Blackard camp would be a travesty for our court system. It bothers me that the same crowd that were the bigwigs of the Davis for Mayor Campaign have moved to the Blackard for Judge bandwagon, though it should bode well for Niemeier based on their level of success previously. (Note: Rick Davis is a Niemeier supporter. Do not confuse his former supporters support of Blackard as the same as Davis supporting him)

    • I’m confused here, what are you trying to say about Rick Davis former bigwig supporters now helping Blackard? I thought Blackard had many of his father-in law’s doctor friends bankrolling the campaign.

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