Bill Text: MS HR86 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Drug court graduates; recognize and commend upon successful completion of the program.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-03-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR86 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-HR86-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Resolution 86
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DRUG COURT PROGRAM AND CONGRATULATING THEM FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS TO GRADUATE.
WHEREAS, since its inception eight years after the passage of Senate Bill No. 2605, 2003 Regular Session, which was signed into law by the Governor of Mississippi and went into effect July 1, 2003, the statewide drug court programs have been remarkable alternatives to the success of the innovative and effective approach to dealing with nonviolent alcohol and drug offenders; and
WHEREAS, with the first drug court having begun in the Ridgeland Municipal Court in 1995, this efficient method of addressing the woes of a certain population of offenders along with the highly publicized success stories of the program and its participants has evolved into some 38 drug courts around the state that have produced more than 1,583 graduates who have successfully reintegrated into society over the course of its span; and
WHEREAS, participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling, sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances, and successful completion results in dismissal of the charges, reduced or set aside sentences, lesser penalties or a combination of these; and
WHEREAS, the most important benefit afforded by drug courts is that graduating participants gain the necessary tools to rebuild their lives; and
WHEREAS, varying somewhat between jurisdictions in terms of structure, scope and target populations, all share the three primary goals to reduce recidivism, to reduce substance abuse among participants and to rehabilitate participants through a special organizational structured model that includes the following key components: incorporating drug testing into case processing; creating a nonadversarial relationship between the defendant and the court; identifying defendants in need of treatment and referring them to treatment as soon as possible after arrest; providing access to a continuum of treatment and rehabilitation services; monitoring abstinence through frequent, mandatory drug testing; establishing a coordinated strategy to govern drug court responses to participants' compliance; maintaining judicial interaction with each drug court participant; monitoring and evaluating program goals and gauging their effectiveness; continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective drug court planning, implementation and operations; and forging partnerships among drug courts, public agencies and community-based organizations to generate local support and enhance drug court effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi's drug courts target adult and juvenile substance abusers, nonviolent defendants and juvenile offenders who have undergone both a legal review and a clinical assessment by drug court team members; and
WHEREAS, successful participants are given a new lease on life after having faced the possible perils associated with a life of incarceration as opposed to the liberties afforded them as rehabilitated societal engagers, who are sometimes so paramount in their accomplishment of the program that a few are even retained for hire to serve as quasi-case managers; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the success of these men and women who, through their most difficult times, have persevered to become integral and productive citizens through their involvement with the drug court programs:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the individual participants of the Mississippi Drug Court Program, congratulate them for successfully completing the program requirements to graduate and extend sincere wishes for continued sobriety and success in all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Administrative Office of Courts of the Mississippi Supreme Court and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
