Northern Hills Drug Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 19, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Northern Hills Drug Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony
PIERRE, S.D.—Northern Hills Drug Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. MDT in Courtroom #3 (downstairs) at the Meade County Courthouse, 1425 Sherman St., Sturgis.
The graduation ceremony is evidence of the tremendous impact Northern Hills Drug Court has had on its community. With their friends and family in attendance, participants who have successfully completed all phases of this drug court program will be honored. The event is open to the public and media.
Keynote speaker Taressa S., a 2024 graduate of Northern Hills Drug Court, will share words of encouragement with the graduates. During the ceremony, each graduate will share their personal experiences with the treatment court process.
Treatment courts are an effective strategy for treating substance use and mental health disorders while reducing recidivism and saving taxpayer dollars. These courts have proven that a combination of supervision, treatment and support can lead people with substance use and/or mental health disorders into lives of stability, wellness and recovery.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Treatment Courts cover Butte, Lawrence and Meade counties in western South Dakota. Fourth Circuit DUI Court is held in Deadwood, and Northern Hills Drug Court is held in Sturgis. These weekly courts began in 2007.
Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts. For more information about Northern Hills Drug Court, contact Coordinator Teresa Thybo at 605-222-0077 or Teresa.Thybo@ujs.state.sd.us.
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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.