Posted on May 20, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Bessemer Drug Court will graduate its 300th participant in ceremonies to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 21, in room 509 of the Bessemer Courthouse Annex. The program will reach that milestone as it graduates the latest class of 30 individuals in its twelfth graduation ceremony since the program’s inception in 2001. Drug courts identify non-violent offenders charged with drug-related offences and provide treatment and social services as an alternative to incarceration.

The Bessemer Drug Court, funded by the Jefferson County Commission and administered by the TASC Program at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), was initiated in the Bessemer Cut-off Division of Jefferson County in May 2001 under the supervision of District Court Judge Eric Fancher.

Participants are required to complete substance abuse treatment, maintain a drug free lifestyle, refrain from acquiring additional legal charges, pay drug court fees and court costs, and complete 50 hours of community service. The Bessemer Drug Court is modeled after successful Drug Court programs around the country. There are more than 1000 drug courts nationwide.

The program is made possible through the coordinated effort of the court system, Bessemer District Attorney’s Office, Bessemer law enforcement, TASC and local treatment programs including JCCEO, UAB Drug Free and The City of Hope. Sixteen local churches and non-profit community agencies have agreed to support the drug court by providing opportunities for community service work.