Daviess County Drug Court has been certified under recently revised Kentucky Supreme Court rules, making it one of two in the state to achieve this distinction.
“This accomplishment establishes a solid foundation of best practices for Drug Courts across the commonwealth and reflects the dedication of the Daviess County team,” said Daviess County Circuit Court Judge Lisa P. Jones, who conducts Drug Court proceedings. “By prioritizing the four dimensions of recovery – health, home, purpose, and community – the Drug Court offers a holistic approach to participants. Unlike traditional methods, Drug Court combines close court supervision, evidence-based treatment, and collaborative efforts to break the cycle of substance use disorder and crime.”
Kentucky Drug Court operates as part of the Department of Specialty Courts at the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the operational arm of the state court system. Since being introduced as a pilot program in 1996, Drug Court has grown to all 120 counties.
“Drug Court serves nonviolent offenders whose primary challenges stem from substance use disorder,” a release from the AOC says. “This court-managed program offers treatment, intensive supervision, drug testing, and case management at no cost to the participants. Some counties provide programs for both felony- and misdemeanor-level offenses. Those who complete the Drug Court program may have their charges dismissed through diversion or be granted conditional discharge through probation.”
Clark County Drug Court was the other to receive certification. The two Drug Courts were evaluated on certification standards contained in a Kentucky Supreme Court Administrative Order that amended procedures for Specialty Courts. The revised rules apply to Drug Courts throughout the commonwealth and effectively provide a foundation of best practice standards for operations.
According to the release, the goal is for all Drug Court programs to become certified and for Kentucky to be nationally recognized for its certification process.
