Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - May 2010 is celebrated as National Drug Court Month.  The Alachua County Drug Court is receiving a proclamation by the Board of County Commissioners during the regular April 27 meeting for local recognition of this nationwide event.  The Honorable Walter M. Green will receive the proclamation on behalf of the Drug Court.  He and the Honorable Ysleta W. McDonald preside over the Drug Court.

Alachua County's program will join other Florida Drug Courts to celebrate the success of Drug Court this year by participating in the Florida statewide "Drug Court Goes Food Court" initiative.

Drug Court is partnering with Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, the local member of the Florida Association of Food Banks, in a drug court food collection program.  "This is a wonderful opportunity to provide drug court participants a chance to give back to their community," says Drug Court Supervisor, Frank Owens.  "The participants will be collecting and donating nonperishable food, toiletries and paper products or donating their time to the food bank."  Food collection bins will be available in the Drug Court office at the rear entrance of 249 W. University from May 3^rd through May 14^th.

Other events planned include the May 7^th graduation for participants that have successfully completed the rigorous program requirements to successfully lead a drug-free life.  Court will be held before the Honorable Walter M. Green at 10 a.m. on May 7^th in courtroom 1B of the Alachua County Courthouse and is open to the public.

Nationally, more than 2,300 Drug Courts will serve more than 120,000 people in 2010.  Chemical dependency knows no race, gender, age or socio-economic background and while it is pervasive, it is also treatable.  Alachua County's Drug Court program provides supervision and treatment to reduce crime and habilitate non-violent substance abusing offenders referred to the program by the Office of the State Attorney.   The program was established as one of the first Drug Courts in the nation and has served more than 2,000 participants in its 16 year history.  The program is fully funded by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and works as a partner with the local criminal justice system and community-based treatment and social service agencies.

For more information, contact Drug Court Supervisor, Frank Owens at 352-384-3199 or fowens@alachuacounty.us.