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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Congressman Patrick Kennedy to be Honored at Drug Court Ceremony Ardent drug court champion to receive the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) Congressional Leadership Award for outstanding dedication to the life-saving drug treatment programs. Providence, RI – Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-1), a Member of the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, received the NADCP Congressional Leadership Award at a ceremony in the Providence drug court on September 17, 2007. The Congressman has long been an ardent proponent of the drug court model as a means to treat the growing population of non-violent, substance-abusing offenders that cycle through the justice system and account for a majority of those incarcerated in our prisons nationwide. Through his dedicated leadership of the drug court cause, funding for the expansion of the life-saving programs has been restored to the historical $40 million mark in the Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, following two years of crippling cuts. “Congressman Kennedy has been a champion of drug courts for many years – his leadership on this issue will save lives, make communities safer and break the deadly cycle of addiction,” said NADCP Chief Executive Officer West Huddleston. “His leadership has been an invaluable asset to drug courts, through which we fully-expect to achieve our goal of taking drug courts to scale with a program in each of the 3,143 U.S. counties. The drug court field owes a deep debt of gratitude to Congressman Kennedy.” With the House’s final approval of the $40 million mark for drug courts in the Department of Justice budget, the spending measure is scheduled to come before the Senate following the August recess. Already, Congressman Kennedy has reached out to his colleagues in the Senate, urging their support for the much-needed drug court funding at the full $40 million mark. Since the first drug court opened its doors in 1989, the field has grown to over 1,900 programs nationwide and boasts incredible results in reducing rates of recidivism for non-violent, substance-abusing offenders through an intensive regimen of court supervision and increased accountability. In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded after an extensive review that drug courts significantly improve substance-abuse treatment outcomes, substantially reduce crime, and produce greater cost-benefits than other justice strategies (GAO-05-219). Mr. Huddleston recognized the Congressman for his efforts on behalf of drug court in Congress with the presentation of the NADCP Congressional Leadership Award as a token of the entire drug court field’s deep appreciation for his leadership and support. The ceremony took place Monday, September 17, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Garrahy Judicial Complex, One Dorrance Plaza (Downtown), Providence, RI 02903. About NADCP In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report confirming that drug courts are an effective tool in reducing substance abuse and related crime. Last year, states reported nearly 20,000 graduates from drug courts nationally, and at least 840 drug-free babies were born to drug court clients. More than 70,000 individuals are currently being served by drug court programs. For more information, visit http://www.nadcp.org/. |