THE PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE CHARTERED THE ABRAXAS FOUNDATION TO IMPLEMENT AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT THAT WOULD ACCEPT YOUTHS CONVICTED OF DRUG AND DRUG-RELATED CRIMES IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION. IT BEGAN OPERATION IN THE FALL OF 1973. SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY A STAFF AND PROGRAM FORMAT NORMALLY ORIENTED TOWARD SERVING SELF-MOTIVATED VOLUNTEER CLIENTS ARE DISCUSSED. TRADITIONAL INTAKE, TREATMENT, AND DISCHARGE OPERATIONS WERE ALL AFFECTED. ADDITIONAL STAFF WERE REQUIRED SOLELY TO SUPERVISE REPORTING PROCEDURES, OVERSEE INTERVIEWS AND OTHER INTAKE PROCESSES, MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH NUMEROUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, SATISFY DEMANDS FOR STATISTICS AND OTHER INFORMATION, AND MANAGE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES INVOLVING WELL OVER 50 AGENCIES. EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE HAS BEEN REQUIRED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO DEAL WITH THE FREQUENTLY CONTRADICTORY REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. CLINICAL STAFF HAD TO ADJUST TO THE MANY LEGAL AND SEEMINGLY EXTRANEOUS FACTORS THAT AFFECTED DECISIONS CONSIDERED ROUTINE IN A PRIVATE TREATMENT CONTEXT. STAFF IN THE REENTRY FACILITIES WERE REQUIRED TO LEARN TO DO INTERVIEWS AND MAINTAIN CONTINUAL LIAISON WITH COURT OFFICIALS IN ADDITION TO FULFILLING THEIR MORE TRADITIONAL ROLES. IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF SERVING CLIENTS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE EFFORT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MEANINGFUL ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION FOR OFFENDERS WITH DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS. (RCB)