WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR, GIL KERLIKOWSKE, TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT COUNTY-WIDE DRUG COURT PROGRAM GRADUATION

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director, Gil Kerlikowske will deliver the keynote address at the first county-wide drug court graduation ceremony, which will be held on May 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. As the Nation’s sixth “Drug Czar,” Mr. Kerlikowske coordinates all facets of Federal drug control programs, as well as the implementation of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. Hosted by Mental Health Systems, Inc. (MHS), and Master of Ceremonies, San Diego District Attorney, Bonnie Dumanis, the event also serves to celebrate “National Drug Court Month.” Mr. Kerlikowske’s participation in the ceremony is a strong endorsement of the ongoing success of drug court programs.

Numerous studies have found that drug courts reduce local crime and recidivism and lower incarceration costs, as they provide substance abuse treatment and related services to individuals who have been arrested for non-violent, drug related crimes. Drug court participants opt to participate in drug court in lieu of jail time. In the last two decades drug court has become the most successful justice strategy for dealing with drug-dependent citizens who appear in the courts. Describing the success of the programs, MHS President, Kimberly Bond said, “Drug court definitely saves tax payer dollars. In fact, California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs reports that drug courts have saved California $175 million in the last five years. More importantly, as a result of drug courts countless lives have been saved and thousands of communities have been strengthened throughout San Diego County and throughout the country.”

At the May 18th event, 60 graduates from San Diego County’s four drug court programs will be recognized. The graduation ceremony will showcase the accomplishments of the graduates and the success of the drug court programs in San Diego over the past 13 years. All members of the four respective drug court teams— judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement and treatment professionals—as well as the families of the graduates, will be in attendance to honor them.

Funded by the County of San Diego, the substance abuse treatment services of the local drug courts are operated by Mental Health Systems, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives in the communities they serve through mental health and substance abuse programs that provide prevention, education, treatment, and recovery services. The agency operates more than 90 programs in 70 geographic locations in California. To learn more about Mental Health Systems, Inc. please visit www.mhsinc.org.