Volume 2, Issue 3

A Publication by the

September 2012

2012 Officers and Directors

Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals
President Kevin Batts Vice President Mary Schneider Treasurer Brad Price Secretary Rick Taylor West Tennessee Director Angela Parkerson Middle Tennessee Director Marianne Schroer East Tennessee Director Judge Charles Cerney At Large Directors Ron Hanaver Tracye Bryant Jill Barrett

JUDGE DAVID BRAGG TO BE DRUG COURT AND DUI COURT PRESIDING JUDGE
Murfreesboro, TN --- August 7, 2012 --Mary Schneider, Director of the Rutherford County Drug Court and DUI Court Programs is pleased to announce that Judge David Bragg will become the new presiding judge for these programs beginning September 6, 2012. Ms. Schneider states, We are very sad to see Judge Ash move on to other opportunities. He has been an excellent judge and member of our team for the past 14 years. The participants in our programs look up to Judge Ash and some consider him a father figure. Without Judge Ash, this program never would have been as successful as it is today. We will miss his leadership. Judge Bragg has been a substitute for Judge Ash and the Drug Court and DUI Court programs numerous times during the past 2 years. Ms. Schneider states, Judge Bragg has a good report with the participants and has the right mix of toughness and compassion to deal with them in court. We look forward to Judge Bragg joining our team. After volunteering to be the presiding judge, Judge Bragg stated, I am honored to be asked to serve in this valuable program. The Drug Court Program has a demonstrated record changing lives while saving taxpayers thousands of dollars and turning tax takers into taxpayers. This gives me an opportunity to join the County Mayor, County Commissioners and the Drug Court Foundation to help people become productive, contributing members of our community. I am looking forward to joining the team of professionals who are working to make a difference in the lives of non-violent offenders. I appreciate the many hours and hard work Judge Ash has volunteered over the years to making this a successful program. The Drug Court Program started in 2000 and serves non-violent offenders who commit crimes because of their addiction. They are placed in a 12-month program that includes counseling, family therapy and random drug screens. The DUI Program started in 2008 and identifies multiple DUI offenders. This program is modeled after the Drug Court Program. Both programs have proven to be very successful and have improved the public safety of this community. For more information on the Drug Court Program you may call, (615) 217-7124 or visit the Website at www.rutherfordcountytn.gov/drug_court/index.htm

Inside This Issue

Drug Court Offers A Way Out Judge Talks About Her 15 Participants 2 2

TENNESSEES 8TH ANNUAL DRUG COURT CONFERENCE

Mark your calendars for December 5, 6, & 7, 2012 to attend the TADCP 8th Annual Drug Court Conference. Once again in Murfreesboro, TN., the conference will be packed with opportunities to learn and network. Favorite speakers will return, and new speakers will be present to share insights and updates for people just like you! Youll have a chance to hear from colleagues near and far about the innovative things happening around drug courts. Its an exciting time to be in the drug court field. Come be a part of it with us! Conference registration begins September 12th and ends November 9th. Go to www.tadcpconference.ezregister.com and register online with the option to pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. To make hotel reservations online, go to www.murfreesboro.embassysuites.com, or by phone call 1-800EMBASSY. When making reservations online or by phone, use Group Code DCP V to receive the conference rate of $77 for single room rate (additional charges over E one person). Rooms are very limited N and are on a first come, first served basis, so make your T reservations early. Once all rooms in the TADCP group have been filled, you will be charged the standard hotel room rate. Room reservations must be made by November 9th.

TADCP
Mark Your Calendars! TADCP Annual Training Conference
December 5-7, 2012 Embassy Suites Hotel Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Free 2-Day Cultural Proficiency Training 2 31st District Program Moves To New Office3 Addiction Severity Index 3

Drug Court Program Shows Success 4 Membership Application 4

www.murfreesboro.embassysuites.com

Group Code: DCP

REGISTRATION BEGINS: www.tadcpconference.ezregister.com REGISTRATION ENDS: November 9, 2012 COST: TADCP Members - $25 (if a member as of September 12, 2012) Non- Members - $75

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Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals

DRUG COURT OFFERS A WAY OUT FOR ADDICTS IN TROUBLE WITH LAW
NEW GRAD CLASS OF 14 COMPLETES PROGRAM
FRANKLIN An intensive program adopted a decade ago to help addicts get clean and stay out of trouble recognized 14 more people who adhered to its demands and now have a better shot at sobriety. Drug Court, a diversion offered in the 21st Judicial District, offers nonviolent offenders a chance to stay out of jail but they must follow a strict, two-year program that includes regular drug tests, inpatient treatment and therapy. Program administrators held a graduation ceremony Tuesday for 14 people. Director Marianne Schroer said it was a standing-room-only crowd. Im happy to see so many people from the community there to support the graduates, Schroer said. Drug Court is funded through fees collected in the districts criminal court, grants and donations. In recent years, said Schroer, grants have been difficult to come by. Fundraising is becoming a bigger priority, and in October Schroer is hosting the programs second event this year. She hopes to raise upwards of $20,000 during a breakfast at Pucketts Grocery and Restaurant in downtown Franklin on Oct. 29. Earlier this year, a similar event garnered $15,000. For details on the Drug Court program or to make a donation, visit www.21dc.org.
Source: The Tennessean 8/17/12

HON. JANICE H. SNIDER, JUDGE OF HAMBLEN COUNTY RECOVERY COURT SHARES ABOUT HER 15 PARTICIPANTS:
We are proud of the accomplishments of several of our recent graduates and current participants. All of our recent graduates have stable, full time employment and several have been offered the prospect of advancement in their jobs. Two current participants have enrolled in our local college as incoming freshmen of the 2012 class. Another participant recently obtained his GED, almost 15 years after he left high school and had the distinction of scoring a 92 on the science portion of the exam. Afterward, a local employer created a special position in their marketing department for this participant, which structured his work hours so that they did not conflict with his recovery related meetings and obligations. We never cease to be amazed at and grateful for the very special people that we have been blessed with in our program.
All of our recent graduates have stable, full time employment and several have been offered the prospect of advancement in their jobs.

FREE 2-DAY CULTURAL PROFICIENCY TRAINING

The National Drug Court Institute has partnered with National Development and Research Institutes to implement the Cultural Proficiency for Drug Court Practitioners Training Project for selected Drug Courts. The Montgomery County Adult Drug Court in Clarksville, Tennessee has been selected as a training site. This project offers free 2-day trainings designed to elevate current levels of cultural competency when working with African American and Latinos in mandated drug treatment. The African American centric version of the training will be offered November 14-15, 2012 in Clarksville, TN. The training will also cover Women's Issues in Drug Court as well as the role of Cultural Proficiency in Drug Courts.
This free training is limited to 5 Drug Court Teams (ideally a minimum of 5 team members per team -more or less depending on team make-up or circumstances).
CEUs, and CLEs pending approval

This 2 - day training is accredited for 12 hours of substance abuse and alcohol credits. This free training is limited to 5 Drug Court Teams (ideally a minimum of 5 team members per team more or less depending on team make-up and circumstances). To register, reply to slrobertson@montgomerycountytn.org with the name of your Drug Court and the names and team roles of those attending. For questions, call Sherry Robertson @ 931-648-7696 ext. 7837.

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Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals

31ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT DRUG COURT PROGRAM TO MOVE TO NEW OFFICE

The 31st Judicial District Drug Court will be meetings. moving to a new office in September. Program direcThe committee members decided to move the tor Brad Price met with members of the Warren Environmental Codes officer across the hallway to County Building and Grounds Committee and asked the empty office and also move the state auditor for larger office space for him and his staff of two, (comptroller) across the hall into the storage room. peer case manager Marianne Cripps and administraCommittee members decided to move the codes tive case manager Rhonda Williamson. enforcer because neither he nor the state auditor use The three are currently located in one small office their conference room. adjacent to the Circuit Court courtroom. Price Drug Court will now be located in the suites informed the committee that he has outgrown his where the Codes Enforcer is now. Price and his staff current location and requires will have lots of room as the more room. When Price first suites have a conference room I dont want to cause trouble started in the position, he was for anybody or ruffle anyones and two large furnished offices the lone worker. Now he has as well as a large storage room. feathers, but Im just out of space Price and his staff will be able two others on staff and they and need more room, said Price. to utilize their conference room have about 80 clients who come into and out of his in their suite as needed. office. The office Price and his staff are in now is David Smiths last day as Environmental Codes one small room with no partitions. If one case manOfficer was Aug. 31. Price and his staff will move ager is working with a client, the others in the office into their new offices a couple of weeks later. can hear everything going on. Confidentiality is minimal. I dont want to cause trouble for anybody or ruffle anyones feathers, but Im just out of space and need more room, said Price. Committee members toured the courthouse Tuesday morning looking for possible space to move Drug Court. When extra room could not be found, they decided to tour the Administrative Building and looked at an empty office suite adjacent to the Finance Department conference room. One office in that suite is empty and one is being used for storage Warren County Drug Court will soon be moving into a at this time. suite of offices at the Administrative Building. Shown in Committee members were concerned with the their current small office are from left, program director Finance Department conference room being tied up Brad Price, administrative case manager, Rhonda as the commissioners regularly use the space for Williamson and peer case manager Marianne Cripps.

THE PRESIDENTS CORNER

BY KEVIN BATTS
On June 12, 2012, Governor Haslam signed Executive Order No. 12, which transferred the Tennessee Drug Court Program from the Office of Criminal Justice Programs to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). All functions of the Drug Court Program are now administered by, and are under the control of, the Commissioner of Mental Health. Drug Court contracts which were executed with the Office of Criminal Justice Programs have been transferred to the Department of Mental Health. Effective July 1, 2012, The Department of Mental Health assumed the authority to receive, administer and supervise all grants and funds from whatever source, including federal, state, county and municipal governments, with respect to the programs and functions of the Drug Court Program. The Executive Order also transferred all contracts and leases which will remain in full force and effect, and are now administered and enforced by the Department of Mental Health. TDMHSAS Commissioner Douglas Varney welcomed the Drug Court Program with enthusiasm, saying We welcome the opportunity to work with, and value, the commitment of current drug court programs across the state. We will all work toward our shared goals of high-quality, evidence-based programs and services and enhanced access to the service delivery system for persons with substance use disorders. Commissioner Varney, Assistant Commissioner Rodney Bragg, and Ellen Abbott met with Drug Court Coordinators from across the State in August to introduce Drug Courts to TDMHSAS. They committed to working for improved funding for drug courts and assisting drug courts programmatically. Coordinators were advised that drug court reporting requirements will change dramatically. All certified drug courts will input data into the TN WITS web-based system which will track participants from intake, through treatment, and throughout the drug court program. This tracking system will be made available free of charge to all drug courts, and will eliminate the need for drug courts to generate annual and quarterly reports. Useful management reports will still be available for drug courts and TDMHSAS. But with everyone on the same platform, those reports will be just a click away. As Commissioner Varney told the coordinators, the Department of Mental Health is a great fit for drug courts. We serve the same population. Our goal is to help people get better...just like Drug Courts!

The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is one of the most widely used tools for the assessment of substance use related problems in adults. Professionals all over the world use the ASI to get a better understanding of their client's treatment needs and outcomes. It is the most widely used substance abuse severity, treatment planning, and outcome measurement instrument in the United States. The ASI was developed to serve as a standardized and reliable instrument for evaluating adults seeking treatment for substance abuse problems and is used frequently in a host of clinical, adult justice, and research settings. The semi-structured interview was designed to address seven potential problem areas in substance abusing clients: Medical status Employment and support

ASI

Addiction Severity Index

Drug use Alcohol use Legal status Family/social status Psychiatric status Clients are asked to respond to specific questions about the problems they have experienced, both within the past 30 days and over their lifetimes. Thus, the ASI identifies both urgent and chronic concerns. The ASI provides two scores: severity ratings and composite scores. Severity ratings are subjective ratings of the client's need for treatment, derived by the interviewer. The severity rating scales range from 0 (no treatment necessary) to 9 (treatment needed to intervene in lifethreatening situation). Composite scores are measures of problem severity during the prior 30 days. All certified Drug Courts in Tennessee will be required to utilize ASI when entering data into the TN WITS system, maintained by TDMHSAS.

TADCP MEMBERS ENJOY....

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

(NAADAC AND CLE)

ANNUAL TADCP CONFERENCE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE TADCP LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FREE AND DISCOUNTED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

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Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals

31ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT DRUG COURT PROGRAM CONTINUES TO SHOW SUCCESS WITH GRADUATES
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, the 31st Judicial District Drug Court Program recognized nine more individuals for completing the intensive supervision and treatment program, during graduation ceremonies. Since becoming operational in July 2004, the 31st Judicial District Drug Court Program, which serves Van Buren and Warren County, has had 75 individuals complete the program successfully. The Drug Court Program boasts an 82% success percentage for the graduates. The main goal of the Drug Court Program is to help individuals become productive law abiding citizens and become drug addiction free. The Drug Courts objective is being accomplished by holding participants to a higher degree of accountability through intense supervision, treatment, and increased court appearances. The Drug Court Program is a minimum of 18 months. There are three different phases each participate will go through, each phase lasting a minimum of six months. Participates are not allowed to move to another Phase unless he or she has completed all the requirements for the previous Phase. Individuals, who fail to comply with the rules of the drug court program, are given harsh sanctions. Sanctions may include; serving jail time, being placed back on house arrest, being moved back a Phase, and others. Many may ask why Van Buren and Warren County has a drug court program for individuals with substance abuse issues. Would not the community be better served by incarcerating these individuals? The simple reason is: Drug Court works! Individuals who have a substance abuse problem, who break the law, and are then sent to prison, 70% of the time, will return to the community having a substance abuse addiction, and will commit more crimes. Treating a persons substance abuse addiction, with a higher degree of accountability, substance abuse treatment, and intense supervision, has proven to help the individual become a productive member of our community. The individual is required to work, pay taxes, and provide for his or her family, taking the financial responsibility away from the tax payers of Van Buren and Warren County. The tangible savings to the residents of Van Buren and Warren County for having a Drug Court program are; 1) sending a person to the Van Buren or Warren County jail cost tax payers approximately $35 per day. The cost per person to operate the Drug Court Program costs $4.50 per day. The average time a person stays in the drug court program is 540 days. Because Van Buren and Warren County have a successful drug court program, the tangible cost savings for the taxpayers has been $1,021,140 since the drug court program became operational. The un-tangible cost to the community for sending an individual to serve his or her sentence in jail, verses getting treatment are; the individual is not paying taxes, the individual is not supporting his or her family, the county is having to provide medical treatment, babies are born addicted to drugs (eleven drug free babies have been born since drug courts inception), the individual will return to using drugs once released from jail, continue committing more crimes, thus continuing the never ending cycle. If you would like more information about the Drug Court program, you can contact the Drug Court Director; C. Brad Price at 931474-1071.

TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

A one-year membership to TADCP is $25 per person. An organizational membership from 1/01/2012 - 12/31/2012 is $200 for 2-10 members and $10 for each additional member greater than 10. Please make checks payable to TADCP.
Is this application for an individual membership or orgranizational membership? Individual Organizational Please specify the membership organization_______________________________________________________
1. Primary contact person Name Title Organization Drug Court Mailing Address City, State, ZIP Phone Number Fax Number E-Mail Address

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P.O. Box 639 McMinnville, TN 37111

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