04-R 220

2004 -- S 3081

Enacted 05/04/04

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING MAY, 2004 AS "NATIONAL DRUG COURT MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Daniel DaPonte

Date Introduced: May 04, 2004

     WHEREAS, Drug courts hear cases of nonviolent offenders with drug-related crimes,

identified as being most likely to benefit from treatment, and not likely to pose a risk to public

safety. Participants must undergo intensive supervision as they undergo treatment and counseling

for their drug and/or alcohol addictions. Frequent and random drug testing is mandatory, with

swift sanctions for noncompliance; and

     WHEREAS, The drug court programs involve a team approach on the part of judges,

court staff, attorneys, probation officers, substance abuse evaluators and treatment counselors, all

of whom work together to support and monitor a participant's recovery; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has two drug courts operating in the Family Court as well as a

pilot adult drug court operating in the Superior Court. The Juvenile Drug Court is a six to twelve

month program that provides the participants with a myriad of services and programs. To date,

one hundred and fifty-five juveniles have successfully completed the program and one hundred

and ninety-five active participants are currently enrolled in the program. Currently, the Adult

Drug Court in Rhode Island has forty individuals in the program and there have been eight

graduates; and

     WHEREAS, Drug courts help keep families together. They provide support services to

help offenders find and keep employment, significantly improving their lives and the lives of

their families. The potential economic benefits, to this state and all our citizens, are tremendous;

and

     WHEREAS, Drug Court Month will provide an opportunity to increase the public

awareness of citizens throughout the state for our drug courts, their effectiveness in the fight

against substance abuse by reducing drug usage and crime, and the need for further expansion of

this valuable program; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby celebrates the month of May, 2004 as "National Drug Court Month" in the state of Rhode

Island. We support and acknowledge the significant benefits provided to the families and

communities in Rhode Island by the practitioners and participants in Rhode Island's drug courts;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby congratulates all the participants who have

successfully graduated from the Rhode Island Drug Courts program. We applaud their

accomplishments and wish them future health and happiness.

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LC03336

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