Press release
The 18th Judicial District will officially launch a drug court
program Oct. 14 serving Arapahoe and Douglas counties. The program
will be referred to as a "recovery court" and Arapahoe County
Magistrate Bonnie McLean will preside over the court's
docket.
"As a group, we are keenly aware of the enormous toll, both
financial and otherwise, that substance abuse takes on the criminal
justice system," Magistrate McLean said. "Addressing and conquering
addiction not only benefits the individual addict, but society as a
whole. When we are able to treat and maintain substance abusers in
the community, as opposed to incarcerating them, we allow them to
contribute to society while bringing a significant cost savings to
the taxpayers."
The recovery court is committed to an integrated and collaborative
treatment model, which includes participation among the Court,
Colorado State Public Defenders Office, 18th Judicial District
Attorney's Office, the 18th Judicial District Probation Department,
treatment providers and the Arapahoe and Douglas county sheriffs'
offices.
The mission of the recovery court is to reduce recidivism of
offenders with substance dependence in the criminal justice system
while promoting public safety, ensuring participant accountability,
supporting recovery and improving quality of life for participants
and their families with a cost effective, integrated continuum of
care through community resources.
"We believe that this collaborative approach involving the Court,
district attorney, public defender, probation, law enforcement, and
treatment teams, enables us to provide appropriate treatment and
accountability, while at the same time ensuring community safety,"
Magistrate McLean said.
The 18th Judicial District Recovery Court is one of more than 60
problem-solving courts operating in 17 of Colorado's 22 judicial
districts. Colorado's problem-solving courts include adult and
juvenile drug courts, family/dependency and neglect drug courts,
DUI courts, adult and juvenile mental health courts, veteran trauma
courts and truancy courts.
