Posted on March 3, 2004 at 4:31 p.m.

WHO:

The Honorable Andrea Barthwell, M.D., deputy director for demand reduction with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will meet with UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) substance abuse experts, state drug court judges and treatment officials to discuss methods of expanding the successful Drug Court program. Judge Karen Freeman Wilson, executive director of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals will also be in attendance.

WHEN/WHERE:

Friday, March 5, 2004
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Family Court Drug Court Program
North Birmingham

WHY:

In his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush proposed new funding to continue aggressive, community-based efforts to reduce demand for illegal drugs. Dr. Barthwell is the principal advisor to John Walters, the nation’s ‘drug czar’, on strategies aimed at reducing demand. According to Foster Cook, director of UAB’s Substance Abuse Programs, she has shown a commitment to merging science and practice and has focused on finding innovative ways to bring substance abuse treatment to those in need.

BACKGROUND:

The Office of National Drug Control Policy is currently promoting the expansion and improvement of drug courts and is promoting local coordination of drug control efforts. There are more than 1,000 drug courts nationwide, including three in Jefferson County. Drug courts identify non-violent offenders charged with drug-related offenses and provide treatment and social services as an alternative to incarceration. Graduation from the Drug Court requires the offender to meet program requirements including: securing full-time employment; completing education requirements; paying Drug Court fees and related court costs; abstaining from drug use; completing community service requirements and complying with the directives of the case manager, judge and treatment providers. Successful completion of all the program requirements results in dismissal of the original charge.