County touts success of its drug court program
MEDIA COURTHOUSE » Senior Common Pleas Court Judge Frank T. Hazel and District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland held an “open house” of the county’s Drug Treatment Court for the public Tuesday evening as part of National Drug Court Month.
“Nearly 30 years ago, the first drug court opened its doors with a simple premise: Rather than continue to allow individuals with histories of addiction and crime to cycle through the justice system, use the leverage of the court to keep them engaged in treatment long enough to be successful,” said Copeland in prepared remarks. “Today, drug courts and other treatment courts have proven that a combination of accountability and compassion can not only save lives, but save valuable resources and reduce exorbitant criminal justice costs.”
The specialized court, now a decade old, allows certain non-violent offenders to enter an intensive 30-month drug treatment program as an alternative to incarceration. The court offers comprehensive substance abuse and mental health treatment under the close supervision of the Office of Adult Probation and Parole.
Delaware County has seen 217 graduates through its program since 2008, with 86 percent remaining arrest free, according to Copeland. Two dozen babies have also been born drugfree to graduates over that period.
There are currently 104 enrollees in the program, which is overseen by Hazel and Treatment Court Coordinator Linda Barbera. Each will have weekly or bi-weekly hearings before the judge to ensure they are sticking with the program and to help address any issues that might impede their progress.
“The program’s legitimacy and success is attributed to Judge Hazel and his commitment to see each and every participant graduate into a life of recovery,” said Copeland. “The program is a lifeline for our Treatment Court participants – they’re enveloped by a supportive network that doesn’t just extend to them a helping hand, but a team who is dedicated to seeing them navigate their way to a healthy, happy life.”
A release from the county indicates 150,000 people will enter similar programs this year alone, and some 3,000 programs across the country will join Delaware County this month in celebrating the successes of drug treatment courts.
“National Drug Court Month is not only a celebration of lives restored, it also sends a powerful message that these programs must be expanded to reach more people in need,” the release says. “This year, treatment courts throughout the nation are advocating to ensure continued federal and state funding for these effective, evidencebased programs.”
“Nearly 30 years ago, the first drug court opened its doors with a simple premise: Rather than continue to allow individuals with histories of addiction and crime to cycle through the justice system, use the leverage of the court to keep them engaged in treatment long enough to be successful.”
— District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland