RESOLUTION NO. 120445
Declaring May 2012 as National
Drug Court Month.
WHEREAS, the month of
May has been designated as National Drug Court Month by the National
Association of Drug Court Professionals; and
WHEREAS, drug courts
are an essential component of our justice system that save valuable criminal
justice resources, with an estimated cost savings of $3,000.00 to $13,000.00
per client due to reduced prison costs, reduced revolving door arrests and
trials, and reduced victimization; and
WHEREAS, the Kansas
City Municipal Drug Court serves approximately 150 persons annually who make
approximately 1,000 court appearances each year; and
WHEREAS, the Kansas
City Municipal Drug Court makes approximately 1,200 case management contacts
each year, with 96% of referrals sent to residential treatment programs; and
WHEREAS, the Kansas
City Municipal Drug Court has a 65% graduation rate among participants who
complete the year-long program; and
WHEREAS, the results
of more than four years of program evaluation show that the Kansas City
Municipal Drug Court significantly improves substance abuse treatment
outcomes, with 64% testing negatively for drug usage; and
WHEREAS, these and
other successes are substantially reducing drug abuse and crime in the Kansas
City community, while keeping individuals out of jail and engaged within our
community as productive, tax-paying citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Kansas
City Municipal Drug Court facilitates community-wide partnerships, bringing
together public safety and public health professionals in the fight against
drug abuse and criminal activity; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and
Council hereby declare May 2012 as “Drug Court Month”, recognizing the
significant contributions the Kansas City Municipal Drug Court has made in
Kansas City, Missouri towards reducing substance abuse, crime and recidivism
while saving valuable resources; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Judge Joseph Locascio
with the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for the extra efforts of
Municipal Court personnel that have made the Kansas City Municipal Drug Court
so successful.
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