| Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building 361 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, Maryland 410-260-1488 |
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| For Immediate Release | CONTACT: Sally Rankin 410-260-1488 |
| Baltimore City District Court to Honor Drug Court Graduates (Baltimore, MD — May 3, 2005) Baltimore City District Court will host a ceremony for 28 graduates of the court’s Drug Treatment Court program at 10 a.m. Friday, May 6, in the District Courthouse on Wabash Avenue in Baltimore City. Sen. Brian Frosh will deliver the keynote address to the graduates, who recently completed the drug treatment program and are now drug-free. Throughout May, the Maryland Judiciary is celebrating National Drug Court Month. “After many years of serious addiction to drugs, our graduations celebrate the hard work, fighting spirit, and courageous efforts of our participants,” said Baltimore City District Court Judge Jamey H. Weitzman, who chairs the Drug Treatment Court Commission of Maryland. “Most of the graduates entered the program using heroin and cocaine daily for many years; most were unemployed and leading dysfunctional lives. They are now drug free, and tax-paying citizens who are making meaningful contributions to their communities.” Since the Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court was established in 1994, 21 other drug treatment courts have been formed in Maryland. Twelve more are in the planning stages around the state. Baltimore City’s program provides intensive treatment, supervision, and comprehensive judicial monitoring to habitual offenders whose crimes are addiction-driven. The program is a collaboration among the Maryland Judiciary, the Division of Parole and Probation, the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, the Baltimore City Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, and substance abuse treatment providers. Drug treatment courts incorporate varying levels of treatment as well as vocational, educational, and life skills training and other services to address issues that contribute to drug abuse and criminal behavior. More than 1,500 defendants have graduated from the Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court. The District Court for Baltimore City is located at 5300 Wabash Avenue. Members of the media are invited to attend. Please contact the Court Information Office at 410/260-1488 if you would like to bring a camera or for more information. |
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