The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion directing the Probation Department to implement enhanced security measures and expand substance abuse treatment at juvenile detention centers following a series of drug-related incidents.
The board voted 4-0 with one abstention on the emergency motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. The action comes after several youth and staff were hospitalized last Wednesday at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey following suspected exposure to toxic drugs.
"Youth in Los Padrinos aren't even allowed to hug their moms out of fear of drugs or contraband being passed, yet drugs keep getting in," said Hahn, whose district includes Los Padrinos. "We are failing our youth, we are failing our employees, and every day, we risk losing another life to substance use."
The motion requires the Probation Department to enhance screening practices, including installing airport-style body scanners and strengthening canine detection programs. The department must also work with the Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control to expand treatment for youth with active substance use disorders.
"It is unacceptable that young people in our County's care are being exposed to dangerous drugs—sometimes with deadly consequences," said Horvath. "The recent incidents at Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf are a sobering reminder that, despite progress, contraband is still infiltrating our facilities."
The Los Padrinos incident was the latest in a string of drug-related problems. In June, the Probation Department announced arrests in two separate smuggling incidents. On June 10, a Deputy Probation Officer was accused of smuggling alprazolam into Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. On June 30, an employee of contracted provider Student Nest allegedly attempted to smuggle more than 170 white pills into Los Padrinos.
The motion also directs the Probation Department to cancel its contract with Student Nest.
Edited by SMDP Staff