In celebration of “National Drug Court Month,” the Warren-Center Line Treatment Court has scheduled a special graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 26.
Treatment Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh will preside over the 2 p.m. ceremony — the theme of which is “Drug Courts Save” — at the 37th District Court’s Warren location.
Keynote speakers will include Warren Mayor James Fouts, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green and Warren City Attorney David Griem.
In addition, drug court alumni and current graduates will address the audience.
“National Drug Court Month” was coordinated by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) to recognize the impact drug courts have had on communities.
The Warren-Center Line Treatment Court started in 1999 and was among the first drug courts in Michigan. Since then, there have been 395 successful graduates.
Warren’s program is currently among the largest in the state, treating 103 participants.
The drug court uses a variety of resources including members of the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social service and treatment community.
“Our treatment court not only saves lives, they save taxpayers millions of dollars that it would cost to keep offenders in jails and prisons,” said Sabaugh.
He said the Warren-Center Line treatment court has saved taxpayers over 5 million dollars in incarceration fees alone.
Nationwide, 75 percent of drug court graduates remain arrest-free at least two years after leaving the program, according to the NADCP website.
“We are very proud of our results, the recidivism rate for the last quarter was eight percent, which means up to 92 percent of graduates will never see another pair of handcuffs. “ said Tom Jekielek, treatment court program director/coordinator.
The graduation ceremony marks completion of an intensive program of comprehensive treatment, close supervision and full accountability, he said.
“Alcohol and drug addiction has taken a huge toll on individuals, families, and our community at large,” Sabaugh said. “Drug courts work because they recognize that addiction is both a societal ill and a disease. Our program combines intensive oversight, testing and addiction counseling. The program is truly life-saving.”
Nine men and women are expected to be among this year’s graduates.
“We are so proud of our newest graduates and the overall success of our program,” Sabaugh said. “We will celebrate their recovery and the new life that comes with their sobriety.”
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