WHAT: Drug Court Commencement Ceremony and Cookout

WHEN:  Thursday, September 20, 2012, 11: 30 AM

WHERE: Fort Lincoln Park – 3100 Fort Lincoln Road, NE 

WHO: Mayor Vince Gray   Council Chair Phil Mendelson Judge Frederick Weisberg, Judge, DC Superior Court Cliff Keenan, Director, Pretrial Services Agency of the District of Columbia 

Drug Court is a special court calendar designed to achieve a reduction in recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent substance-abusing defendants. The program also strives to increase the defendant’s likelihood of successful habilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and use of appropriate sanctions and other rehabilitation services.  

Eligible drug-addicted persons may request to be transferred to Drug Court in lieu of traditional criminal justice system case processing. Drug Courts keep individuals in treatment while supervising them closely. While in drug court, participants are

 • provided with intensive treatment and other services they require to get and stay clean and sober;

• held accountable by the Drug Court judge for meeting their obligations to the court, society, themselves and their families;

• tested for drug use;

• required to appear in court frequently so that the judge may review their progress; and

• rewarded for doing well or sanctioned when they do not live up to their obligations. 

NOTE: Judges will be available for interviews.  Participants may be photographed or interviewed with their permission.  Please coordinate with on-site DCSC or PSA staff for assistance identifying participants.