For Immediate Release

Contact:

Janelle Krueger

Criminal Justice Coordinator

608-355-4880

jkrueger@co.sauk.wi.us

SAUK COUNTY ADULT DRUG COURT COMING SOON

Baraboo, Wisconsin – In March 2015, the Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council established a Drug Court Subcommittee.  This group has worked tirelessly to establish the framework for an evidence-based alternative sentencing court program in Sauk County.

Drug Courts are actively used around the Nation. Wisconsin alone has 58 alternative sentencing court programs in 40 different counties.  Alternative sentencing courts have different specialties: Veterans Courts, OWI Courts, Drug Courts, Family Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, and Hybrid Courts, which combine different specialties into one program with different tracks. 

The Drug Court Subcommittee, tasked with the research and development of programming, applied for and received the Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative grant.  This grant allowed staff from the National Drug Court Institute to provide our team with three days of on-site planning and training in the development of a Drug Court Program. 

Why a Drug Court?  As of September 2015, Sauk County has had nine overdose deaths. We have a drug problem in Sauk County; a problem that is killing people. 

National research shows that substance abusing/addicted criminal offenders need regular supervision by a Judge or they drop out of treatment too early.  A staggering 70% drop out before they have had a chance to benefit from treatment. Drug courts are six times more likely to keep offenders in treatment long enough for them to get better. 

The Sauk County Adult Drug Court will begin in January of 2016 and we are eager to find community partnerships for participants.  We will be looking for employment, housing, transportation, and community service opportunities for our participants, along with self-help meeting support and other assistance as needed. 

The Sauk County Adult Drug Court is a five-phase 18-24-month program that surrounds participants with supervision, treatment, and support.  Research shows that this model is nearly 45% more effective in reducing crime when compared to traditional sentencing methods.  Our goal is to help offenders break the cycle of addiction, rebuild their lives and avoid continued criminal conduct - creating a safer and healthier community for all.