DWI, drug recovery programs successful
News | Published on October 16, 2024 at 12:08pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
County commissioners heard a review of the DWI Court, in its 17th year, and the Drug Court, in its fourth year. Success with both programs was pointed out by Coordinator Tria Mann on Tuesday, Oct. 8, during the commissioners’ meeting at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.
These courts, across the state of Minnesota, are designed for people to avoid jail time by voluntarily entering into programs that include enhanced supervision and treatment.
Mann said that those enrolled in Otter Tail County must be motivated to work toward changing lifestyles and becoming free from alcohol and drugs. By reaching their goals, lives will be more fulfilling and communities will also benefit.
“Those enrolled have counseling as they go through recovery enroute to reaching their goals,” Mann said. Agreements are in place for the programs between Otter Tail County Probation and the state of Minnesota, acting through the Seventh Judicial District.
Mann, over the years, has pointed out that success of the DWI Court and Drug Court is a collaborative effort among county Human Services employees, the County Sheriff Office, area police departments, county probation employees, Court Administration and the County Attorney’s Office.
“Our goal continues to see people regaining their places as productive members of society,” said Mann. County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons said the court programs “give people the tools to be successful.”
Keys to success for people in the DWI Court and Drug Court programs include having a “never give up” attitude, examining past errors, making amends for those errors and learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior.
County Board Chairman Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood said the programs headed by Mann are “the most effective interventions regarding addiction.”
Mann added that communicating with those facing addiction, early on, and getting them into programs as soon as possible is the key to success. Challenges, she said, involve addiction and mental health issues that are oftentimes intertwined.
The DWI Court and Drug Court programs also address housing, employment, schooling and other goals to provide pathways for productive lives.