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TUCSON - A local nonprofit organization is getting national attention for the success of its students. A recent study shows Sin Puertas excels among other substance abuse clinics across the country.

The Pima Prevention Partnership is the parent organization for the group and was included in a study that showed youths with severe substance-related problems dropped from 9% to 1.5%. That's compared to 6.3% in other programs.

Eric Harper is one graduate who is a prime example of the results. At a very young age, he got mixed up in the gang scene

"He would run away a lot and he would stay gone for sometimes months at a time. The only way that he would come back was if he had an encounter with the law," says Roderick Harper, Eric's father.

"To certain people, if they don't have family, the gang will consider them their family, treat them like one of their brothers and sisters and what not," says Eric.

Sin Puertas is helping him get there by strengthening the bond with his father.

"We try to help the parent understand the kinds of things that the youth are doing in group and often times help solidify that relationship between the two of them. So it really is a very important element," says Pat Beauchamp, Clinical Director.

This cooperation and understanding is helping the Harper's do this together.

"Arguments are counterproductive. When he has something to say, you can encourage him to say it, but to try to force him to say it is just going to cause a communication block. Sometimes our impatience gets the best of us," says Roderick.

"It was the stuff that I did. It wasn't just him. That's mainly the reason I was mad. I knew I was doing wrong and I was getting mad at myself," says Eric.

Their progress is similar to many others in the program. It's proof of the numbers shown in the study and proof that persistence and patience are key.

"Some kids it takes longer than others, but we never give up. We keep trying. You really begin to see that these kids have an opportunity to move forward in their lives," says Beauchamp.

The Chestnut Behavioral Health System took data from 11 different sites.

Sin Puertas graduates have significantly lower criminal involvement after graduation than all other programs in the southwest.

http://thepartnership.us