×

Dunkirk City Drug Court celebrates graduation Dec. 14

Each day there are more than 80 individuals in the criminal justice system locally who are attempting to make some significant changes in their lives. These people have admitted their criminal activity. Rather than opting to pay fines or do jail, they have elected to change their lives to get a handle on their problems which led them to being criminal defendants. Those who are brave enough to make changes and have opted instead for participation in a treatment court.

Currently throughout the nation more than 150,000 individuals are participating in over 3,000 Drug/DWI/Mental Health/Veterans Courts this year. Known as problem-solving courts, this treatment model seeks to break the chains of abuse by providing a holistic team approach to enable individuals to change their lives. This is not easy or quick for defendants to do. Graduates are sober, employed, paying any child care expenses, no longer on public assistance, are not incarcerated, and are law abiding productive citizens. The Dunkirk treatment program works with individuals from all Northern Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, including veterans, who have alcohol, drug and/or mental health problems and simultaneously a criminal charge.

Dunkirk City Court will hold its next graduation/open house on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Dunkirk City Courtroom in City Hall. The ceremony is scheduled to honor the anticipated graduates who have completed their rigorous recovery program and recognize current participants who are advancing through the mandated phases.

Dunkirk City Court Judge Walt Drag typically uses country music, flowers, and folklore to stress the components of recovery to those in attendance.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today