Misdemeanor Drug Court Graduation

Judge Gisele Pollack created the Drug Court Program, she is also the proud Judge that at the end of the program graduates her "Kids" as she calls them.
Most of the participants are between the ages of 18 to 25 years old. 

The Misdemeanor Drug Court Program (MDCP) began in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Fla. on September 9, 2005. The goal of MDCP is to enhance public safety by curbing their substance use and reduce crime while improving the quality of our participants lives.
MDCP participants become whole, healthy, law-abiding, self-sufficient citizens who contribute to our community in a meaningful way. The program's successful completion rate averages, 84%. The program's recidivism rate to date is 8%.

Florida Statue 397.334(1) establishes treatment-based drug court programs for persons charged with criminal offenses, who are assessed with a substance abuse problem. The programs, address the participant's substance abuse problem by providing treatment services tailored to the participant's individual needs. Persons are diverted from the traditional adversarial process. Upon successful completion of the program, the court dismisses the eligible criminal charges, pursuant to section 948.16 Fla Statutes.   


Story: Bina Fink Bina@BinaFink.com