Backup Documents 05/14/2013 Item # 4FPROCLAMA TION
4F
WHEREAS, Drug Courts are a proven budget solution that benefit al/ facets of society, and,
WHEREAS, Drug Courts are an essential component of our justice system which save vast
criminal justice resources and return individuals to their communities as productive,
tax - paying citizens; and,
WHEREAS, Drug Courts are the most effective tool in the criminal justice system for saving
money, cutting crime and serving veterans; and,
WHEREAS, results of more than 100 program evaluations and at least four meta - analytic
studies have yielded definitive evidence that Drug Courts significantly improve
substance -abuse treatment outcomes, substantially reduce drug abuse and crime,
and do so at less expense than any other justice strategy; and,
WHEREAS, Drug Courts facilitate community -wide partnerships, bringing together public safety
and public health professionals in the fight against drug abuse and criminality, and,
WHEREAS, the Drug Court movement has grown from the 12 original Drug Courts in 1994 to
over 2,700 operational Drug Courts; and,
WHEREAS, Drug Courts demonstrate that when one person rises out of drugs and crime, we ALL
RISE; and,
WHEREAS, the time has come to put a Drug Court within reach of every eligible person in need;
and,
WHEREAS, National Drug Court Month recognizes the significant contributions Drug Courts have
made toward reducing substance abuse, crime, and recidivism while saving valuable
resources.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida, that May 2013 be designated as
DRUG COURT MONTH
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 14'h Day of May, 2013.
OF COUAIrY COMMISSIONERS
2 OuNry, FLORIDA
A. HILLER, CHAIRWOMAN