St. Louis County Alternative Courts.

AuthorMortimer, Chelsea

ST. LOUIS COUNTY SUFFERED 203 deaths attributed to opioid overdoses in 2017. By comparison, in 2001 there were less than 25 deaths related to opioid overdoses. In 2017, the oldest individual who succumbed to an opioid overdose related death was 62 years old, while the youngest was 14 years old. In 2017, St. Louis County had a population of approximately 1 million residents and there were 42.7 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 residents. In the news, on the streets, in the courthouse and in residents' homes the word is relentless: we are battling the opioid addiction. (1)

The 21st Circuit Court, based in St. Louis County, boasts four Alternative Courts and one Diversion Program attempting to make a dent in these sobering statistics.

Robert P. McCulloch, the elected Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County, in partnership with the St. Louis County Courts, has provided unending support for all five of these programs in an effort to support a jurisdiction-wide effort to combat the opioid crisis. Without the support of many different organizations and volunteers, from a retired mental health professional to a retired detective, as well as the full-time probation officers, judges and staff, these programs would not be possible.

The first St. Louis County Alternative Court, deemed "Drug Court", was created in 1999 and included defendants with felony charges for driving while intoxicated and participants with felony drug charges. In 2012, the two courts split and a separate DWI Court was created. In late 2015, a special court to address the specific needs of United States Military Veterans was created and in 2017, a special docket for individuals with non-violent felony charges who had a mental health diagnosis was created.

Participants in all four of these programs plead guilty to the felony charge, but at the end of the intense program, which spans a minimum of 15 months, these individuals have the opportunity at a new life. Upon successful completion of their individual program, their original felony plea can be withdrawn, and they can plead to a lesser felony, a misdemeanor, or in some instances their case is dismissed altogether.

There is no doubt that the incentive is huge, yet the program is not always easy. Participants are required to attend intensive therapy sessions for the purpose, and hope, that they can address the underlying issues that have led them to use illegal, or misuse legal, controlled substances. In all four programs...

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