(ANNAPOLIS, MD — September 19, 2006) The Anne Arundel County District Court will host a ceremony for 11 graduates of its drug treatment court program at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, in the District Court Building, 251 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis. James Craig, owner of North Avenue Revitalization, L.L.C., will deliver the keynote address. Mr. Craig is himself a graduate of the drug treatment court and has been drug-free for more than 12 years. He has been a volunteer with the program since his graduation.

“I’ve said this for going on 13 years, that drug court has given me a complete life,” Craig said. “As a result of being part of drug court, I have a whole life, I have complete freedom, I have command of my own destiny.”

Drug treatment court programs provide treatment, supervision, and judicial monitoring to habitual offenders whose crimes are addiction-driven. Participants take part in vocational, educational, and life skills training to address issues that contribute to their drug abuse and criminal behavior. Nationally, drug treatment court programs have emerged as a practical, cost-effective alternative to incarceration, and re-arrest rates for drug court graduates are significantly lower than for the general population.

Maryland’s first drug treatment court began in Baltimore in 1994. Anne Arundel County's program is in its 10th year. There are 32 drug treatment courts throughout the state, and eight more are planned.

Members of the media are invited to attend the graduation, but the use of cameras must be approved in advance. Please contact Janet Ward, drug and DUI treatment court coordinator, at (410) 260-3744, by September 20 if you would like to bring a camera or for more information.