(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Today, the Sedgwick County Department of Corrections (SCDOC) proudly graduated 24 people, ages 29-69 years, from its Drug Court Program, helping offenders conquer addiction and live crime-free. Families, friends and program administrators celebrated, as participants received certificates and coins signifying their completion of the 18-24 month substance abuse treatment program.
“Graduating Drug Court is a tremendous accomplishment,” says Monica Harris, Specialty Courts Administrator. “Participants go through a long and immersive program of drug testing, treatment classes, comprehensive supervision and court appearances, while also dealing with work, parenting, paying restitution and rebuilding relationships broken by their criminal behavior.”
The Drug Court concept began in Florida in 1989, and now the State of Kansas has 14 Drug Courts that treat offenders who are on probation because of criminal behavior resulting from a substance abuse disorder. Since Sedgwick County started its Drug Court in 2008, the program has proven to reduce drug use and crime significantly in our community.
“We have seen firsthand that supervised, structured treatment produces better results than incarceration, and participants are less likely to reoffend,” said Harris. “It’s a win-win situation for Sedgwick County and the graduate.”
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