This is true "suicide prevention," Moskos said. "We're trying to make it so they never have thoughts of death or dying at all."

The Utah Youth Suicide Study reviewed cases where Utahns age 13 to 21 years had "completed" suicide between August 1996 and June 1999.

Nearly 90 percent of the victims were male, and 63 percent had a juvenile court record. Of those, more than half had referrals for substance possession, use or abuse, and 32 percent had at least one felony referral. Suicide completers with the juvenile court record had more offenses.

Utah experts concluded referral to the juvenile court was a risk factor for completed suicide.

In 2001, the Youth Suicide Study designed a treatment program for boys age 13 to 16 with two to 12 of these offenses. The study also provided a comprehensive, family-oriented treatment plan. Recruitment included an in-depth screening process, and professionals, including probation officers, psychiatrists and in-home family specialists, presented treatment recommendations and discussed treatment options with the parents throughout the study.

The family dynamic is the key to this program.

Brandon Fox found his way to the juvenile justice system after fighting at school. Then he got caught holding marijuana for a friend.

He was accepted into the pilot program, and his mother says the intervention saved their family.

"As a parent, it really helped," said Diane Fox. "We were able to come together, from a half circle to a full circle."

After a year of intense therapy and family work, Brandon is back on track. He's learned valuable skills about expressing grief, anger and other emotions.

"It was something that we needed all along, but we just couldn't afford it," said Diane Fox. Now Brandon is more successful, she says. "He has turned over a new leaf. He's grown up and abides by the rules. He is a new person."

A $1.2 million grant awarded last week will allow the state to address teens in just this kind of situation and represents one key to the tragedy of teen suicide in Utah.

"The kids coming into the courts — they aren't bad kids," Moskos said. "They are kids that need help, and their families need help."

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E-mail: lucy@desnews.com; romboy@desnews.com