Government center in Woodstock to host drug court commencement

In celebration of "National Drug Court Month," the 22nd Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court will hold a commencement ceremony at 11:08 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, in Courtroom 204 of the McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. Guests should use the government center's east entrance.

James "Dan" Wallis, court administrator, and Scott Block, director of the 22nd Judicial Circuit's Office of Special Projects, will officiate and the ceremony will include a presentation form the Choosing Life and Ending Abuse Now Slate Alumni Association which was created by graduates of the DeKalb County Drug Court and a presentation of commencement certificates by the circuit court Judge Charles P. Weech. The event will recognize eight individuals who have completed drug court and are leaving the program as sober and stable members of society.

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court is making a difference, from reducing drug use and recidivism, to reuniting families and making our community safer. By transforming the lives of participants, the program is saving the county and state valuable resources.

According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, extensive research has proved the following:

• Drug courts are six times more likely to keep offenders in treatment long enough for them to get better.

• Drug courts produce cost savings ranging from $3,000 to $13,000 per client. These cost savings reflect reduced prison costs, reduced revolving-door arrests and trials, and reduced victimization.

• Drug courts significantly reduce crime as much as 35 percent compared to other alternatives.

The scientific community has put drug courts under its microscope and concluded that drug courts work better than jail or prison, better than probation and better than treatment alone. The Adult Drug Court would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the McHenry county board, 22nd Judicial Circuit Office of Court Administration, McHenry County Department of Court Services, McHenry County Mental Health Board, McHenry County state's attorney's office, McHenry County Public Defender's Office, McHenry County sheriff's office, private defense counsel, Centegra Health System and Rosecrance Health Network.

For more information on the 22nd Judicial Circuit Adult Drug Court Program, call Scott Block at (815) 334-4913 or email to sablock@co.mchenry.il.us.