Summit County Felony Drug Court Awarded Grant

Today, Tuesday, September 30, 2008, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry announced that the County of Summit Felony Drug Court has been awarded a $796,480 grant from the United Sates Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Summit County Felony Drug Court is a specialty court that has been given the responsibility to handle cases involving drug-using/abusing, non-violent offenders, through immediate comprehensive supervision, drug testing, and treatment services; as well as provide immediate sanctions and incentives.

The Felony Drug Court program brings the full weight and co-operative effort of all interveners, namely: judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, substance abuse treatment specialists, law enforcement, correctional personnel and educational & vocational experts together to help the offender deal with his or her substance abuse problem.

Since the inception of the program, in 2002, 153 people have successfully completed the Summit County Felony Drug Court Program. County government officials anticipate that the grant will allow the specialty court to serve 360 new clients over the next three years.

“This grant will allow the Felony Drug Court to enhance the scope and depth of services and help more drug-related offenders undergo treatment to turn their lives around,” said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. “This grant provides funding to enhance the cognitive skills training for program participants and provide more intensive case management, employment services and anger management classes.”

Congresswoman Betty Sutton applauded the grant coming to Summit County by stating, “I am so pleased that the Summit County Felony Drug Court has received this critical funding. This program gives a second chance to people who have struggled in the past but are now looking for a fresh start in life. Through their work, the County of Summit and the Oriana House have assisted countless individuals and families by helping them move on with their lives and strengthen our community.”

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Teodosio presides over the court; while, Oriana House, Inc., a non-profit community corrections and chemical dependency treatment agency, serves as the implementing agency.

Collaborative partners of the Summit County Felony Drug Court include: Oriana House, Inc., Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADM Board), Summit County Common Pleas Court, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry’s Office, Summit County Legal Defender Office and Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh’s Office.