PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 6, 2023
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer
Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us | 605.773.2031
South Dakota Unified Judicial System Problem-Solving Courts Celebrate National Treatment Court Month
PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s Problem-Solving Courts recently held special graduations and events to celebrate National Treatment Court Month in May. Treatment courts are considered the most effective strategy for reducing addiction, crime and recidivism while saving taxpayer dollars.
“Our uplifting graduations and special events are evidence of the tremendous impact the South Dakota Problem-Solving Courts have had on communities across South Dakota and send a powerful message that these programs are vital to the health and wellbeing of our state,” said South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen.
The following graduations and events were held or will be held across South Dakota in conjunction with National Treatment Court Month. With their friends and families in attendance, individuals who have completed an intensive program of comprehensive substance use disorder treatment, close supervision and accountability were honored.
- April 26, 2023: Yankton County Drug and DUI Court Commencement
- May 4, 2023: Brown County Drug and DUI Court Community Service Project
- May 10, 2023: Pennington County Drug Court Commencement
- May 11, 2023: Brown County Drug and DUI Court Commencement
- May 18, 2023: Brookings County Drug Court Alumni Day
- May 19, 2023: Codington County Drug Court Commencement
- May 23, 2023: Second Circuit DUI Court Commencement
- May 23, 2023: Northern Hills Drug Court and Fourth Circuit DUI Court Commencement
- May 24, 2023: Sixth Circuit Drug and DUI Court Commencement
- May 25, 2023: Second Circuit Drug Court Graduation
- May 31, 2023: Beadle County Drug Court Commencement
- June 7, 2023: Sioux Falls Mental Health Court Commencement
- June 7, 2023: Pennington County DUI Court Commencement
- June 15, 2023: First Circuit James Valley Drug and DUI Court Commencement
The establishment of drug courts in South Dakota is part of an ongoing effort to combat the rising number of drug-related crimes within communities. Seventeen Problem-Solving Courts serve the citizens of South Dakota and include Drug Court, DUI Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court.
“Community-based behavioral health treatment provider organizations are proud partners in South Dakota’s Problem-Solving Court effort. The model works,” said Terry Dosch, executive director, South Dakota Council of Community Behavioral Health. “It collaboratively promotes recovery from serious addictions and mental illnesses, while assuring the state’s public safety interests—it literally saves lives. Our Problem-Solving Courts stand out as one of the best examples of effective restorative justice that can be found.”
National Treatment Court Month is coordinated by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. There are more than 4,000 treatment courts in the United States, annually serving more than 150,000 people.
To learn more about the South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s Problem-Solving Courts, visit https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts.
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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.