PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Circuit Court of Cook County to honor 13 drug treatment court graduates during National Drug Court Month

Released On 05/16/2005

Chief Cook County Judge Timothy C. Evans and Sixth Municipal District Presiding Judge Ronald C. Riley said the court will hold a graduation ceremony for 13 drug offenders on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at 2 p.m. to honor their completion of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Drug Treatment Court Program. The ceremony will take place in the Sixth Municipal District Court Facility, 16501 South Kedzie Parkway, Markham, Illinois, in the Jury Assembly Room on the second level.

The court’s Drug Treatment Court Program is an alternative sentencing program offered to non-violent offenders charged with crimes related to their substance addiction that replaces incarceration with substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation. Offenders undergo treatment in combination with strict court supervision to help them to overcome their addiction and reduce their likelihood of committing future crimes.

Chief Judge Evans noted it is important for the public to understand the effectiveness of drug treatment court programs. "Recent studies demonstrate the substance abusing defendants are successfully responding to court-mandated treatment administered through the drug court system," said Chief Judge Evans. "There is a profoundly positive impact when the drug court graduates return to their communities as self-sufficient, productive citizens," he added.

The 13 drug treatment court graduates will receive certificates of completion and recovery medallions from the two drug treatment court judges in the Sixth Municipal District, Judges Thomas P. Panichi and Judge Thomas J. O’Hara. Graduates will also speak about the impact drug treatment court has had on their recovery.

Media are invited to attend and should call James J. Edwards, MS, LCPC, Social Service Department at 773.869.6025 for further details.

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