Broward Drug Court Celebrates 20 Years

The Broward County Drug Court celebrated more than 10,000 graduates over 20 years at a special graduation ceremony last week.

Drug Court helps nonviolent offenders who buy or possess small amounts of drugs like cocaine or oxycodone. They must stay clean for a year and participate in intensive counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, acupuncture and random urine testing. Completing Drug Court enables them to avoid a conviction and a prison term, or, if already convicted, successfully complete probation.

The county's Drug Court, which started in July 1991, falls under the Broward Sheriff's Office. It has three, three-month phases participants must complete. There are group counseling, drug tests, and whatever other measures the judge deems necessary.

As the clients progress in their treatment, the counseling sessions and drug tests taper off.

Broward Circuit Judge Marcia Beach, who presides over the court, picks the treatment program.

The court graduates about 1,000 people a year. The recidivism rate after two years is about 2 in 10.

A Drug Court programs at the felony level exists in Miami-Dade County. Broward County also has Misdemeanor Drug Court, which is intended to help offenders who are arrested for possession of marijuana.