Drug-free in Mississippi
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December 13, 2011
Mississippi: The Drug and DUI Court in Mississippi's 12th Judicial District (counties of Forrest and Perry) just celebrated the graduation of its largest class ever. On December 12, 2011, 20 former drug addicts completed the program after having worked for three years to turn their lives around.
There are a total of 43 drug courts in Mississippi, consisting of over 3,000 participants (246 in the Forrest-Perry County program)--people who, with the help of the courts and other government offices, are trying to get their lives back on track. Mississippians arrested for non-violent felonies related to drug addiction are eligible to join. Once they begin, they must submit to regular drug testing and other addiction treatment. The program, which was founded in 2003, boasts great success in helping participants to transition to a drug-free life.
Patricia Burchell, the Forrest-Perry County District Attorney, explained, "It's just a wonderful program. They work hard, they turn their lives around and they become productive and contributing members of society."[1] Judge Robert Helfrich, of the 12th Judicial District, added, "Drug court simply provides the opportunity to change. It's the hard work and dedication of the participants that makes it successful."[1]
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