June 2-5, 2010
Boston, MA
Got Press?
Send us your local Drug Court stories and look for them on the website.
Email stories to
Chris Deutsch
Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing an editorial for the opinions page of your local newspaper is a great way to start the conversation and keep people talking about how well Drug Courts work. When other members of your community hear about Drug Courts, it makes them want to learn more.
Don't worry if you have never written a newspaper before. We have all the tools you will need. Read the tips below and feel free to use our sample letters and op-eds.
Letter Writing Tips
- Be Short & Sweet - Keep your letter to 250 words or less and offer suggestions instead of complaints.
- Be Relevant - Reference another letter to the Editor. Mention a recent or future event or a story the newspaper recently ran.
- Make a Point - Take a clear stance and use facts and figures to support your assertions about Drug Courts.
- Identify Yourself - Include your name, address, phone number and email so the newspaper can contact you if needed.
Get People Talking
You don't have to be a brilliant writer or scientist to get people talking. You can use the factual information you find in this site to get things going. So go ahead, write a letter. Type an email. Start a blog. Comment on someone else's blog. Participate in an online forum. If we're going to succeed in putting Drug Courts within reach of every American in need, we need to get people talking.
Events & Conferences
Headlines
Drug courts seem to be that vanishingly rare thing in Washington: an issue with near consensus.
Palmer, of Malden, kicked his habit about five years ago, thanks in large part to a treatment program mandated through the Dunklin County Drug Court.
The idea was praised by visiting U.S. drug czar Gil Kerlikowske, who noted "drug courts" can sentence people to rehabilitation programs instead of prison.
The Obama administration hopes to more than double the funding for drug courts in next year's budget.