First Client Graduated From Sobriety Court Program
While 10 people are working to complete a program of comprehensive drug treatment with close supervision through the 92nd District Sobriety Court, one person has now successfully completed the program, the court announced in February.

The court is in its first year of introducing people into the program, which began January 1, 2007. Fifteen men and women were initially considered for Sobriety Court participation, which offers repeat drug and alcohol offenders a chance to recover from their addictions.

Sobriety Court hears cases of offenders charged with alcoholand drug-related crimes, requiring them to undergo treatment and counseling, submit to frequent random drug and alcohol testing, and appear regularly before the judge. Reduced jail sentences or decreased probation time are offered in exchange for receiving professional help, court monitoring, and daily testing.

Police, the court, couselors, probation officers, and community agencies work together to provide the service, using a team approach. The team makes decisions together for each person's case, and offers praise, rewards, or sanctions. The goal is to help the offender achieve continued sobriety, reducing repeat offenses and drug abuse.

The offender must participate in the program for at least 12 months.

The 92nd District Court is offering a contest for fifth grade students to design an art poster and create a slogan for Sobriety Court. Students in this grade also take Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) training, a topic related to the contest. Students in St. Ignace Middle School, Moran Township School, Les Cheneaux Community Schools, Mackinac Island Public School, Engadine Consolidated Schools, and Tahquamenon Area Public School have been invited to submit slogan and art entries to the court by May 1.