Drug Court Team Members: Judge, Norman Yackel District Attorney, Tom VanRoy Director HHS, Pete Sanders Public Defender, Jerry Wright LCO Counselors, Mike Williams, John Tolliver Assistant Chief of Police, Joel Clapero

P.O. Box 730 - 10610 Main - Hayward, WI  54843 Phone 715-638-3292 Coordinator, Shelley Bartz HHS Supervisor, Joe Bodo Case Managers, Pat Sanchez, Randy Young Case Manager, Dianne Sullivan Probation Agent, Amy Jain

Sawyer County ‘First Step’ Adult Drug Court Facts

 

¨ Admitted 32 offenders during first 2 ½ years of operation

¨ 41% of participants successfully graduated (National average is 49%)

¨ Saved an estimated 5,554 incarceration days during first 2 ½ years

¨ Collected over $8,000 in fines, fees, & restitution

¨ Facilitated 468 hours of community service

¨ A Treatment Court with intensive substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration

¨ Post-plea program, means an eligible offender pleads guilty to the charge & voluntarily accepts

    admission into drug court in lieu of original jail or prison sentence imposed

¨ Minimum of 9 months over 3 phases (National average is 15 months)

¨ Sawyer County’s Specialized Court is 1 of 27 in Wisconsin

¨ Sawyer County First Step is the most rural Drug Court operating in the Nation

 

Local Donations have been received so far from:

Gillis Motors, Sheer’s Lumberjack Mini Golf, Riverside Motel, Towering Pines Mini Golf, State Farm Insurance, Barker Lake Golf Resort, Northview Eye Clinic, & Jump River.

 

Upcoming local news:

Press Release in Record & Gazette – 10/10/07

Lifestyles North Radio Show WRLS – 10/18/07

County Board Agenda - Mini presentation – 11/13/07

 

National Drug Court Facts as of April 2007

® American taxpayers spent $9 billion a year on corrections in 1982 verses $60 billion in 2002

® Only 3% of jail inmates participate in formal treatment while incarcerated

® 55% of prisoners report using drugs/alcohol during the crime that resulted in their

     incarceration

® Specialized courts have reduced recidivism rates by 30%

® 1,699 fully operational Adult drug courts in the United States (April 2007)

® 349 Adult drug courts in the planning stages (April 2007)

 
Mission Statement
The Sawyer County Drug Court Program will provide integrated court supervision and substance abuse services through the First Step program.
First Step will enhance public safety through a coordinated judicial intervention that promotes personal responsibility by creating opportunities for self-discovery, accountability, and treatment.

What is "First Step"
The First Step Sawyer County Drug Court Program is a court specifically designated and staffed to handle cases involving offenders that have significant substance abuse problems through an intensive judicially monitored program of treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision.

First Step's Goal
The goal of the program is to break the cycle of drugs and crime in our community through a combination of intensive case management, treatment, sanctions and positive reinforcement through rewards for successes.

I. Target Population & Eligibility standards
Person's meeting the following criteria will be considered for admission to the Sawyer County Drug Court Program.

a.  Resident of Sawyer County.
b.  Offender must be found guilty of current offense.
c.  Must be at least 17 years of age.
d.  Must be convicted of a crime which is the result of the offender's substance abuse or addiction.
e.  Offenders must voluntarily agree to participate and abide by all program rules.
f.  Those referred for possible participation shall be interviewed by staff and participate in any assessments requested.

II. Disqualified Standards
Persons meeting the following criteria will NOT be considered.

a.  Any violent felony conviction of current violent charge as defined by federal guidelines. (42 U.S.C. 3797u-2(a).
b.  Any current weapons offenses.
c.  Any current sex offenses.
d.  Any current offense involving a firearm.
e.  Any current stalking, arson, or kidnapping offenses.
f.  OWI 5th and subsequent.

"I am happy with the way I am starting to live my life." - Drug Court Participant

 

Drug Court Team Members
Drug Court Judge, Norman Yackel
District Attorney, Thomas VanRoy
Public Defender, Gerald Wright
Community Corrections, Mary Pliss
Sheriff Deputy, Mike Sanchez
HHS Director, Pete Sanders
AODA Supervisor, Joe Bodo
LCO AODA, Mike Williams
AODA Counselor, Randy Young
Case Manager, Patricia Sanchez
Case Manager, Dianne Sullivan
Coordinator, Shelley Bartz

"I am happy to be sober!" - Drug Court Participant

 

"I am grateful for this opportunity.  Drug Court Works!" - Drug Court Participant

For information, contact Drug Court Coordinator at 715-638-3292
Sawyer County Drug Court P.O. Box 730 Hayward, WI 54843