Administrative Office of Courts
Drug Court conference to be held in Hattiesburg May 9-11 The growing abuse of non-narcotic medications, aggressive adolescent behavior, suicide and mental health issues are among the discussion topics for the annual Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference which begins May 9 in Hattiesburg. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr., Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny Dupree and MADCP President Linda Edison will open the conference at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Lake Terrace Conference Center in Hattiesburg. Reggie Collier, former University of Southern Mississippi and professional football quarterback, also will welcome those attending the conference. Collier has spoken before about his own battle with substance abuse, and his sobriety. The conference runs May 9-11. About 300 people, including judges, drug court staff, law enforcement, correctional officers and drug treatment providers, are expected to attend, said State Drug Court Coordinator Joey Craft. The eighth annual conference will include presentations from mental health and drug treatment professionals, law enforcement and corrections officers. A schedule of all conference sessions and speakers is available at this link: http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-madcp-annual-training-conference/custom-17-3daa97096a7444d0bc20f00b6e894ecb.aspx. May is National Drug Court Month. Mississippi has 43 drug court programs with 3,232 people currently enrolled. That includes 2,525 enrolled in felony adult drug courts, 409 in youth drug courts, 104 in family drug courts and 194 in misdemeanor drug court programs. Drug courts operate in Circuit, Chancery, Youth, Justice and Municipal courts. Drug courts seek to rehabilitate drug-using offenders through drug treatment and intense supervision with drug testing and frequent court appearances. Drug courts offer the incentive of a chance to remain out of jail and be employed, and the sanction of a jail sentence if participants fail to remain drug-free and in compliance with all program requirements. #### |
