17 Will Graduate From Kane County Drug Court at Special Ceremony Thursday, May 11
In celebration of National Drug Court Month, Congressman Bill Foster is scheduled to attend the Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court graduation ceremony to be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the Kane County Branch Court, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Foster, who has sponsored several bills addressing the opioid epidemic and the prevention and treatment of addiction, will address the graduates and those in attendance.
Seventeen individuals are expected to graduate at a ceremony marking the completion of an intensive judicial program. While in drug court, participants received substance abuse and mental health treatment under close supervision.
To ensure accountability, participants were regularly and randomly tested for substance use and were required to appear frequently in court for the judge to review their progress. Sanctions were imposed for violations of obligations and rewards were given for meeting goals. Each participant paid all fines, fees and restitution imposed.
Treatment courts are this nation’s most effective strategy to reduce recidivism among substance-addicted, nonviolent offenders with criminal histories. Nationally, 75 percent of individuals who complete such programs are not re-arrested. These courts save up to $13,000 for every individual they serve and return as much as $27 for every $1 invested, Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court Coordinator Alicia Klimpke said in a news release.
Research continues to show that treatment courts work better than jail or prison, better than probation, and better than treatment alone.
“Treatment courts are a proven budget solution that stops the revolving door of arrest and incarceration for people with substance use and mental health disorders,” said Carson Fox, CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Judge Marmarie J. Kostelny, presiding judge of the Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court, said the graduation ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the success of graduates and the hard work they have put into their recovery.
“They have restored their lives and have been reunited with their families and are proud to be productive members of our society,” she said. “It is also an opportunity for the citizens of our county to celebrate a program designed to make our community safer while saving lives.”
For more information, contact Alicia Klimpke at 630-406-7179 or klimpkealicia@co.kane.il.us.
- FEATURE PHOTO Courtesy of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals
SOURCE: 16th Circuit Court news release
