(Annapolis, MD — January 17, 2007) Six women and four men will celebrate their graduation from the Anne Arundel County District Court drug treatment court on Thursday, January 18. A reception for the graduates and their families will be held at 1 p.m., followed by a graduation ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in the District Court Building, 251 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis. Linda Hitchcock, who has been sober for 14 years and is president of the Hope House alumni, will be the keynote speaker.

Drug treatment courts 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 courts 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 tenth year. There are now 33 drug treatment courts throughout the state with more 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, (410) 260-3744, to bring a camera or for more information.