WHAT: Drug Court Commencement Ceremony

WHEN: Wednesday, December 21, 11:30AM

WHERE: Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Courtroom C-10

WHO: Michael Botticelli, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Judge Gregory Jackson, DC Superior Court (Presiding Judge, Drug Court) Cliff Keenan, Director, Pretrial Services Agency for 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

Michael Botticelli was sworn in as Director of National Drug Control Policy on February 11, 2015. Previously, he served both as Acting Director and Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy. Dir. Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance use disorders. Prior to joining ONDCP, Mr. Botticelli served as Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services in Massachusetts and previously served in a variety of leadership roles for the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors.

Dir. Botticelli was the first recipient of the Ramstad/Kennedy Award for Outstanding Leadership in Promoting Addiction Recovery. In 2012, he was awarded the Service Award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. Mr. Botticelli holds a Bachelors degree from Siena College and a Masters from St. Lawrence University. He is in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder, celebrating more than 25 years of sobriety. Dir. Botticelli is a long time supporter of, and advocate for, drug court programs.

Judge Gregory Jackson was appointed to the District of Columbia Superior Court in 2005 by President George W. Bush. As a native Washingtonian, Judge Jackson has been committed to serving the community, after nearly four years of serving, this will be his final Drug Court Graduation.

NOTE: Judges will be available for interviews.

Participants may be photographed or interviewed with their permission.

Please coordinate with on-site Court or PSA staff for assistance identifying participants.