The State Court of Fulton County and Fulton County’s Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) hosted the DUI Treatment Court Virtual Graduation on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in Fulton County Government Center’s Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor Street, SW, Atlanta. 

The DUI Treatment Court program is a judicially supervised treatment program designed for repeat offenders and takes place for a minimum of two years. The program provides enhanced supervision, and individual and group treatment sessions to assist participants in making healthy lifestyle changes while gaining insight and knowledge about their disease of addiction. 

Fulton County’s DUI Treatment Court hosts four graduations each year, and approximately eight participants were recognized during the March 17 graduation ceremony.

“Graduation is the acknowledgement of the hard work and challenges that participants face while in the program,” said Bradley Jones, Behavioral Health Program Manager, State Court DUI Treatment Program. “Sobriety is not an easy road and many participants face multiple challenges. This event allows everyone to come together and applaud their hard work.”   

To participate in the DUI Treatment Court program, eligible candidates must complete the following requirements:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinical treatment
• Complete the Risk Reduction Program (DUI School)
• Complete a Victim Impact/MADD Panel
• Submission to random home visits
• Random drug testing
• Participate at compliance reviews
• Community support meetings such as AA/NA

Since the program’s inception in 2007, the Fulton County DUI Treatment Court has worked diligently to enhance public safety and provide a better quality of life for participants to promote sober living and healthier lifestyles for repeat offenders. The most conservative estimate is that DUI Courts reduce DUI relapses and general criminal relapses approximately 12% better than other sentencing options. Keeping this in mind, Fulton County’s DUI Treatment Court has grown to include two treatment and drug testing facilities to accommodate all of Fulton County. 

For more information about ongoing programs and Fulton County Treatment Court services, please visit: https://fultonstate.org/dui-court/.