Sumter County Court Administration provides two programs for drug-related cases. In addition to the Adult Drug Court program described here, Dependency Drug Court is available to qualified participants.
Adult Drug Court Brochure
If you are sick and tired of a life of drugs, and all that surrounds that life style-consider Sumter County Drug Court.
Prior to the implementation of Sumter County Drug Court, there was no affordable, effective treatment for substance abuse in Sumter County. Even if an individual is motivated for treatment and has limited means to pay, there are lengthy waiting lists for inpatient beds and for outpatient treatment. Successful affordable treatment for offenders is even more rare. Additionally, denial that a problem exists and lack of motivation to change are characteristic of substance abusers.
These problems are exacerbated in offenders in a number of ways. They are reluctant to admit there is a problem from fear that admissions can be construed as guilt. Commonly, they have experienced failure throughout their lives and thus have no belief that they can change. They are more concerned about what is going to happen with their charges rather than on changing their lives. Even those initially motivated to participate in treatment may drop out when they experience the relapse that is common in substance abusers. Further, offenders who are experiencing relapse are afraid to admit they need additional help because they fear further sanctions. Treatment of substance abuse, at best, is a difficult proposition, and these factors hinder recovery even when treatment is available.
Phase I treatment is intensive outpatient treatment lasting eight weeks. During Phase I each participant attends an orientation session. Psychosocial assessments and initial treatment plans will be completed. Participants are required to attend daily counseling and to obtain at least seven clean drug tests before they progress to Phase II. Individual sessions are arranged as necessary. The client is required to attend a Court Status Hearing weekly. Drug testing will be done as needed, and randomly.
After clients have successfully completed Phase I treatment, their treatment plan is reviewed and specific goals are developed for each individual. They continue to participate in group and individual counseling two times per week. Random drug testing is conducted. 90% of attendance is required before moving to the next phase of treatment. Treatment in Phase II lasts approximately twenty-two weeks. Throughout this phase, vocational and educational assessments occur to identify individual needs and to refer clients to specialized resources. Participants are required to attend Court Status Hearings bi-weekly. Phase II clients attend a community support group, such as NA or AA, once per week.
During this phase, the participant will continue to participate regularly in group or individual counseling, depending on the individual’s needs, as demonstrated by the client’s treatment plan. It is during this phase that emphasis will be placed on case management and participation in fellowship groups, such as narcotics and alcoholics anonymous. Focus is given on the client returning to the work force or other vocational needs, as well as for those who are dependent on family for housing to be encouraged to seek independent living. Phase III treatment continues until the participants has met specific goals consistent with his/her treatment plan and has demonstrated a drug free life style. Group counseling shall be provided at a minimum of one time weekly, with drug screening one time weekly. All services and frequency of contact depend on the overall progress of the client.