To Editor:

The St. Mary’s County Juvenile Drug Court celebrated the graduation of four participants on September 19th. Since the program’s inception, over 100 of our youth who have significant substance abuse problems and have ended up in the juvenile justice system have been served. September provides an appropriate backdrop for this event as it is National Recovery Month across our country. 

The graduates that were honored on this day, are examples of how hard work and determination can lead many who had given up hope to a rich and rewarding future. This is true to the individual and their families. Each graduate has progressed through four phases of intense supervision and substance abuse counseling. The average time to complete the program was 12.2 months. During this time they were subjected to over 100 drug tests each. They were required to come to court and see the Judge regularly, attend counseling and see their case manager frequently. Delegate John Wood, District 29A, was present and provided encouraging words to the graduates and their families.

Drug Court generally serves those at most risk and need. It is a tough population and a tough program. A recent evaluation indicates that those who enter the program significantly lower and or eliminate their substance use. For those that graduate, they have a significantly lower rate of recidivism than that of a “control” group that was under probation supervision but not in the program and the cost for these graduates was significantly lower than it was for those in the control group.

Since becoming a Judge and volunteering to oversee the Juvenile Drug Court docket, Judge Micheal Stamm (a former school teacher) has helped guide the continued progress of the program. It takes a team effort to administer the program and the Department of Juvenile Services, Walden-Sierra, Inc., State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, School System and Public Defender’s Office help facilitate this Circuit Court Program.

We look forward to serving the next hundred youth who find themselves in a position that this program is designed to provide the necessary structure which will afford them the opportunity to begin their life anew with a sense of “recovery”. 

Pete Cucinotta, Leonardtown
Coordinator, St. Mary’s County Drug Courts