BROOKINGS – The Third Judicial Circuit will host Brookings County’s first Drug Court graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. Thursday on the third floor of the Brookings County Courthouse, 314 Sixth Ave. in Brookings.
The keynote address will be given by David Gilbertson, chief justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court. The public is invited to attend.
The Brookings County Drug Court began in July 2016 and is one of 16 problem-solving courts in the state. Brookings County Drug Court is currently serving 12 participants.
“The Brookings County Drug Court Program is a new alternative sentencing option that is offered to felony drug offenders who struggle with drug addiction,” said Abigail Howard, Brookings County state’s attorney and member of the Brookings County Drug Court team. “The program is geared toward helping those individuals in our community who are not violent offenders or drug dealers, but merely people who are struggling with an addiction that has led them to make poor decisions in an effort to salvage their addiction and unhealthy lifestyle.
“Through the work of the program, participants are able to rebuild their life by finding a healthier peer group, obtaining a good job, paying off debt, giving back through community service, and focusing on their families and children, all while participating in mental health and chemical dependency treatment.”
Howard said Drug Court is an asset to the county “by helping change individuals who have caused countless problems in our community into people who are productive, responsible and caring citizens. I am honored to work with such a program and see the benefits it brings to those involved.”
Thursday’s graduate is a lifelong Brookings resident who was addicted to methamphetamines for 30 years. Not only will she have accumulated 600 plus days of continuous sobriety by her graduation date, she has paid more than $1,800 in court fines, costs and restitution.
The graduate is familiar with the inside of a prison cell, but she was able to remain incarceration free during her time in the program, a task that most addicts will not achieve during their time in this intensive treatment program.
A reception will be held following Thursday’s ceremony.
Drug Courts are specially designed criminal dockets aimed at reducing criminal recidivism and substance abuse while increasing the likelihood of successful rehabilitation for adults with substance use disorders charged with drug related offenses.
