Drug Court graduation celebrated in Pennsylvania . . .

. . . and covered by WNEP-TV:

The director of the treatment court said drugs are responsible for 85 percent of crimes in the Wyoming Valley and having a program like this one is so important.

"I've really seen a lot of serious change, a lot of success, a lot of serious change in people's lives," said drug court coordinator Kelly Cesari.

California Drug Court graduate earns college scholarship

Congratulations to Jenny Munoz of San Bernardino.

Judge Raffetto to discuss Drug Court with Upcountry Rotary Club on Jan. 4

Details to follow soon.

Sheriff in California - to fight drugs, we need treatment more than we need law enforcement

"The war on drugs is not working because we are relying on law enforcement instead of on treatment."

Drug Court in Oklahoma credited with making positive impact

The Duncan (Okl.) Banner:

Since its inception more than three years ago, the Stephens County Drug Court has expanded the county’s ability to provide therapy, healing, recovery and justice to individuals charged with alcohol and/or drug felonies.

A woman who asked to remain anonymous because she is still a participant of Narcotics Anonymous is a recent graduate of drug court and is just such an individual.

“I got addicted to methamphetamine when I was about 16 and used it regularly until I got into drug court,” said the woman, now in her late 20s.

Early results are promising for new Drug Court in Mason County, Ill.

Court puts offenders on a 'new course'

Drug Court success stories in New Mexico

Musician Joe Walsh speaks at Drug Court graduation in California

Justice Department announces grant opportunities for drug courts

Here's the Nov. 13 announcement:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/08DrugCourtsSol.pdf

Grant applications are due Jan. 10.

The announcement includes this concise, general statement about drug courts:

Drug courts help reduce recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent offenders1 and increase an offender’s likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions and other habilitation services.

How does Hawai`i measure up on alcohol and drug programs and policies?

Join Together ("advancing effective alcohol and drug policy") provides data on key measures:

http://www.jointogether.org/keyissues/state-policies/state/hawaii.html

ASAM policy on access to detox services for incarcerated persons

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE, INC.

Public Policy Statement on Access to Appropriate Detoxification Services for Persons Incarcerated in Prisons and Jails

Individuals brought into custody by criminal justice authorities should receive appropriate general medical screening to assure that their medical needs will not go unaddressed during their incarceration. The circumstance of being under arrest, detained, jailed, or imprisoned should not preclude access to and provision of medically necessary treatment for alcohol and other drug withdrawal.

Staggering statistic of the week . . .

Only 10% of addicts get treatment.

That's according to Dr. Michael H. Miller, President, American Society of Addiction Medicine, in a presentation to the Hawaii Society of Addiction Medicine in Honolulu on November 9, 2007.

"The ability of drug abuse treatment to reduce illegal activity has marked economic impact."

Value of Reduction in Crime-Related Costs vs. Costs of Drug Treatment

The ability of drug abuse treatment to reduce illegal activity has marked economic impact. One study found a reduction in crime-related costs in the year following treatment that averaged more than $19,000 per patient. This compares favorably to the cost of providing the treatment - $2,828 for methadone maintenance, $8,920 for residential treatment, and $2,908 for outpatient drug-free.

Source: Rajkumar, A.S. and French, M.T. (1997), "Drug Abuse, Crime Costs, and the Economic Benefits of Treatment," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 13 (3): 291-323.

"Aloha House serves Maui"

Maui News editorial today:

. . . Aloha House, the island’s first residential substance abuse treatment center, began with one man who was intimately acquainted with addiction.

Joe Pana was a recovering alcoholic who opened his Kahului home to others trying to fight their way out of addiction. . . .

. . .

More than 130 staff members and contractors work for Aloha House and its sister agency, Malama Recovery Center. About 1,500 individuals are helped each year, not including family members who are often included in treatment services.

This Thursday, Aloha House formally opens a new clinic at 250 Waiehu Beach Road. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is open to the public, as are all of agency’s programs.

. . .

Aloha House celebrates its 30th anniversary Dec. 5 with a dinner buffet and silent auction at the Maui Beach Hotel Elleair Room. Although supported by public funds, Aloha House also gratefully accepts private contributions. Call 871-1314 to take part in the anniversary celebration and help Aloha House continue to make a vital contribution to the health and welfare of our community.

8th graduation ceremony for Kaua`i Drug Court

http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2007/11/10/news/news03.txt

Graduation is not a guarantee for success, said Drug Court Judge Calvin Murashige.

He was addressing 10 graduates who completed the Drug Court program and were celebrating the Eighth Drug Court graduation before an overflow audience of relatives, friends and supporters of the graduates.

Among those in attendance, state Sen. Gary Hooser said the Friday afternoon ceremony came down to choices.

“Choices are made daily,” Hooser said in his remarks. “You are here because of the good choice you made. From here, it’s one choice at a time.”

"12 FINISH MAUI DRUG COURT ON ANNIVERSARY"

http://mauinews.com/news/2007/11/7/05coui1107.html

Maui Drug Court Administrator Barbara-Ann Keller: drug courts are good public investment, reduce recividism

Viewpoint in Maui News:

In contrast to the traditional “revolving-door” approach, Drug Courts provide an effective solution to drug and drug-related crime through the innovative use of comprehensive supervision, drug testing, judicial monitoring and sanctions and incentives.

Recent federal grants support drug courts in Hawai`i

$397,000 to Friends of Drug Court in Honolulu.

$443,405 to 3rd Circuit Drug Court (Hawai`i Island).

Drug Court graduation on Maui TV News!

Note: The video starts with reports on the Hawai`i Superferry and Maui's drought conditions before getting to the Maui Drug Court story.

Here's a link to the transcript:

http://mauitvnews.com/scripts/11-01-07.htm

And here's an excerpt:

We have admitted about 500 people into Drug Court on Maui since 2000. That means 500 people have received intensive treatment for drug addiction We're graduate 244 - not everybody makes it. Of those, the recidivism rate is 14 percent - we base that on convictions. That means that only 14 percent have reoffended. That's an amazing success.