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 Rather
than continuing the revolving door of addiction and related crime,
treatment courts break the cycle by holding individuals accountable
while connecting them with the treatment and support needed to change
their lives. This approach is no longer an experiment.
This May, drug courts throughout Illinois will join more than 4,000 such
programs nationwide in celebrating National Drug Court Month. This year
alone, more than 150,000 individuals nationwide who entered the justice
system due to addiction will receive the opportunity to repair their
lives, helping not only the individual, but their families and
communities find hope, healing, and recovery. National Drug Court Month
is a celebration of the lives restored by drug court, and it sends the
powerful message that when one person rises, we all rise.
Here in Logan County, we offer drug court and veterans treatment court.
Treatment courts like ours differ from traditional court because we
invite treatment providers and other public health professionals to be a
part of the team. They ensure each person in our program receives an
individualized, evidence-based treatment plan, and work together with
the judge, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation, and law
enforcement to provide ongoing support and accountability. This approach
allows our treatment court to identify and meet individual needs beyond
clinical treatment, such as education, employment, housing assistance,
family reunification, restitution, and healthcare. Treatment plans are
individualized to the participant because there are multiple pathways to
success.
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Drug courts are critical in the effort to address addiction and
related crime. Scientific research agrees numerous studies have
found that treatment courts reduce crime and drug use and save
money. Research shows treatment courts also improve education,
employment, housing, financial stability, and family reunification.
Drug courts represent a compassionate approach to the devastation of
addiction. This year’s National Drug Court Month celebration should
signal that the time has come to reap the economic and societal
benefits of expanding this proven budget solution to all in need.
If you want to contribute to the Logan County Drug Court, please
contact Kim Turner (217) 732-2106 for ways to help. We are always
looking for contributions and donations that can be given as
incentives for participants. Even small gifts, such as $5 gift card
or gas card, go a long way toward initiating positive changes in
behavior for those who are doing well in the program.
Bradley M. Hauge
Logan County State’s Attorney
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