PRESS RELEASE
Glasgow News 1
The Drug Court program that serves Barren and Metcalfe counties will celebrate its 20th anniversary May 1 in Glasgow, honoring its dedicated community partners.
“Over the past 20 years, the Barren-Metcalfe Drug Court has been a positive force in the community,” said Circuit Court Judge John T. Alexander, who volunteers to serve as the program’s Drug Court judge. “It has helped people gain control over their lives, develop good habits, and become responsible parents, children, siblings, and friends. Drug Court has made life worth living for hundreds of people and has, in fact, even saved lives. All of us are grateful for the support we receive from our community partners, service providers and everyone else who has helped to make the program work.”
Drug Court was Kentucky’s first Specialty Court program and has a strong history of reducing the negative effects of substance use and criminal behavior across the commonwealth.
As part of an ongoing effort to address the rise in drug-related crimes, Drug Court operates on the understanding that true success comes from breaking the cycle of substance abuse rather than relying solely on fines or incarceration.
“I have served with Barren-Metcalfe Drug Court Program since the very beginning and have seen all the wonderful changes in 20 years with the community and clients,” said Candy Reed, who serves as program coordinator for the Barren-Metcalfe Drug Court program. “It has been a joy to watch the hundreds of participants that have changed their lives, regained custody of their children, and to see drug-free babies that have been born, the money paid back to our community, and to watch participants become productive citizens.”
Drug Court staff work closely with treatment providers and other community agencies to offer a holistic approach to recovery and help participants gain control and stability in their lives. Drug Court combines close court supervision, treatment, agency collaboration and other recovery support services to intervene and break the cycle of substance use disorder and crime.
The public is invited to attend the celebration, which will take place at 1 p.m. at the T.J. Samson Pavilion Community Center, at 310 N. L Rogers Wells Blvd. in Glasgow. In addition, invitees to the celebration include law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys and substance use counselors.
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