The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) have awarded six North Carolina communities a total of $1.8 million to adopt the Reclaiming Futures model for helping youth in the juvenile-justice system avoid alcohol and other drug problems.

The Reynolds foundation contributed $1.44 million towards the effort, with RWJF chipping in $360,000. Grantees will receive funds for technical assistance and to hire a part-time project director.

Awards went to Cumberland County's CommuniCare in Fayetteville; Forsyth County's Partnership for a Drug Free North Carolina, Inc., in Winston-Salem; Guilford County's 18th Judicial District Court in Greensboro; the Mental Health Association in Orange County; the Rowan County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court in Salisbury; and Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare in Elkin.

Ten other states are currently using the Reclaiming Futures model, which centers on screening and assessing teens in the juvenile-justice system for addiction problems, referring them to treatment, and connecting them to support services. The North Carolina project will run through 2010.

 "Breaking the cycle of drugs, alcohol, and crime among our young people in North Carolina is an important priority for our organization," said Susan Richardson, program officer at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. "Reclaiming Futures offers a tested tool that can make a huge difference in our communities."