“Since 2014, cases involving substance use in Pulaski County have doubled and continue to rise, reports Pulaski County Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher. "Many of these cases involve the use of methamphetamine or heroin. Deaths from substance overdose in Pulaski County continue to increase and we are seeing a profound impact on the families of our community who are left to deal with the aftermath of losing a loved one. In addition, many of these cases involve veterans in our community who are utilizing substances to reintegrate into our community or deal with the pressures of day-to-day life after honorably serving our country.”

Nearly 30 years ago, the first drug court started with a very simple premise: instead of serving as a revolving door for those who have a history of addiction and crime, why not find ways to leverage the court to keep individuals engaged and be accountable for treatment long enough to be successful. Already, over a million participants and their family members have been served by treatment courts (includes Drug Court and Veterans Courts, along with many others).

It is stated by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) that around $13,000 is saved for every treatment court participant and 75 percent of those who complete, don’t re-offend.

“Many Pulaski Circuit Court cases, regardless of the type, have the thread of substance abuse woven through them,” notes Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn. “Problem-solving courts will provide a formal acknowledgment of that fact for us and provide an opportunity for a holistic approach to attacking a persistent problem in our county.”

Drug courts are designed to intensively engage the participant and the justice system together in order to make consistent and continual daily and weekly contact with the participant - monitor treatment and therapies - to provide support and encouragement when merited, as well as accountability if participant is not making good choices. Many who take part in these types of intensive programs have stated that this program/treatment court saved their life. This was their last hope of overcoming addiction.

Today, drug courts and other treatment courts (which are also defined as Problem Solving Courts) have proven that a combination of accountability and compassion can not only save lives, but save valuable resources and reduce criminal justice cost. The problem solving court will allow the community to focus on the intense accountability and rehabilitation required to address the issue of substance use in those individuals who qualify for this program.

Pulaski County Superior and Circuit courts are "very excited and proud" to be on the track of developing these local treatment courts, the judges report.