Drug Court was created in this District to better deal with the continuing problems of drugs abuse, particularly methamphetamine, in our communities. The drug court team is comprised of the Drug Court Judge, Drug Court Probation Officer, Drug Treatment Specialist, Problem Solving Court Coordinator and the individual defendant. The goal of Drug Court is treatment. If accepted into the program, an individual must complete a stringent set of requirements to be successful. These requirements include:
- A term of probation – The sentenced time may vary. It will be for at least the minimum time required to complete the treatment program. The requirements for reporting are similar to a maximum probation classified case.
- Jail sentence – The jail sentence is suspended with days to be served only for minor violations of the conditions of probation during the treatment program.
- The individual must pay all fees, fines and costs assessed.
- Drug Therapy and Treatment – The program consists of both individual and group therapy. The treatment program is nearly a year.
- Drug Testing – The individual must be drug free. This includes over the counter or prescription drugs. Accordingly, the individual who is sentenced to the program must agree to frequent and random drug testing using a variety of testing strategies. Any indication of drug use is a violation and will probably result in serving jail time.
- Other requirements may include being employed or attending school, no contact with other probationers or known drug users/suppliers, random home or employment visits by Probation Officer, curfews and electronic home monitoring.
For further information, contact Problem Solving Court Coordinator, (970) 252-4365 or doug.hanshaw@judicial.state.