Franklin County Juvenile Drug Court looking to grow

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FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Franklin County's Juvenile Drug Court is looking to grow.

The program is one of only two in Southwest Virginia.

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"They've made a mistake in the past and what we're trying to do is to right their wrongs," said Patrick Perkins, a Franklin County sheriff's deputy.

He works closely with teens in the juvenile drug court program. It's an intense year-long program, but those who graduate will get their charges dropped or reduced.

"They come every single week to court and see their probation officer every week," explained attorney Carolyn Furrow.

Furrow volunteers with the drug team and wants to see the program grow; however, more community partners are needed since the program doesn't receive government funding and relies on volunteers.

"I know every single person in our drug court team feels that if we can just intervene early enough maybe we can turn that young person around," says Furrow.

Program leaders are looking for more community partners who can provide activities for the program and jobs later on after juveniles graduate.

Since the drug court started in 2009, it's helped nearly 30 people.