First Four Graduate From Douglas Drug Court

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A new program in Douglas County for drug offenders has its first set of graduates.

Last week, four people graduated from the Douglas County Felony Drug Court program.

The four completed a nearly two-year-long program that focused on creating foundations for recovery from drug addiction, developing social skills, educational advancement, job training, psychological treatment and family reunification.

Drug courts across the state have seen significant success in lowering the number of repeat criminal offenders whose crimes are motivated by drug addiction, says the Douglas County district attorney's office.

In Douglas County, Superior Court Judge William H. McClain serves as the presiding judge over the program.

The drug court system is made up of staff from several different areas of the criminal justice system.

Along with McClain, the team is comprised of Assistant District Attorney Lara Myers, Assistant Public Defender Frazier Rowell, Drug Court Coordinator Tim Prewett, Douglas County Sheriff's Office Lt. John Sweat, treatment provider Josh Nation, probation officer Shondra Clark and retired Chief Deputy of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Stan Copeland.

District Attorney Brian Fortner said that since the program's creation in January 2015, it has grown in the number of participants.

"It is my steadfast belief that the program will continue to change the lives of citizens of this community who are plagued by drug addiction, while also lowering crime rates and reducing the tax burden on the citizens of Douglas County," Fortner said.

Photos courtesy Douglas County District Attorney's office