Governor Proclaims Drug Court Month 2021

WHEREAS, drug treatment court (DTC) uses a team of court and community professionals to help ensure that offenders who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol receive the intensive treatment they need to become healthy, law abiding, and productive family and community members; and

WHEREAS, drug treatment courts have been restoring lives and families for more than three decades; there are more than 4,000 treatment courts nationwide that have served an estimated 1.5 million individuals; and

WHEREAS, drug treatment courts can significantly improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes, substantially reduce addiction and related crimes, and do so at less expense than other criminal justice strategies; and

WHEREAS, treatment courts facilitate community-wide partnerships, bringing together public safety and public health professionals; and

WHEREAS, there are currently 26 counties across North Carolina where there are operational Adult Drug Treatment Courts; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina recognizes the vital contributions and reforms that drug treatment courts have brought to our justice system;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2021, as “DRUG COURT MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.