ok, so i agree the kid appears to be a mess from what the parent says here. she probably needs some more direction, however i dont think every step must be harsh to accomplish anything. i dont know this girl, but i can identify with some of her actions. i whored myself for fucking heroin at that age (not proud by the way) but i can pretty much garentee if someone had reached out to help me in a manner that wasnt punitive, and indeed contained a 'fun' element, as a 12 year old i personally would have jumped on it. as in summer camp/wilderness style short term program. seriously though, people dont give their kids credit enough. they suffer over their own problems without being confronted. many get better with no or little intervention, simply by reflecting and growing up. some need a little extra. psychiatric observation might be an option if everything else has failed, but long-term coersive treatment can only harm, especially a child that young.
i've never been to any of these type programs, but my fiancee has and from what i've learned, it seriously would not benefit a child in yours' condition..or any for that matter.
~j.