December 22, 2017
Board of
Commissioners
Accountability Court Holds Graduation for Drug Court Program
Regular Meetings Jan. 3, 2018 9:00 AM Jan. 17, 2018 6:30 PM
Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Charter Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
The Henry County Accountability Court held a graduation for seven participants of its Felony Drug Court and Mental Health Program on December 14, 2017. The ceremony was held in courtroom B of the Henry County Courthouse. Members of the Drug Court Program celebrated their success after participating in an extensive twoyear long, five phase process in which they were required to be surveilled by the Sheriff’s Department, subjected to random drug screenings, scheduled meetings with a case manager and worked at least 20 hours a week all while remaining sober and drug free. Superior Court Judge Brian Amero, who presides over the Accountability Court system, lauded the participants’ willingness for help and
assistance. “We can offer you the help, but if you don’t accept the help, nothing will happen,” said Amero. “And these people right here have accepted the help. These people right here have made a change in the lives of their families, in the lives of their friends. I’ve seen them every Thursday for two years, and I am very proud of them.” As a result of Accountability Court Programs across the state, Georgia has saved $75 million in 2016 alone and Henry County taxpayers saved over $1.14 million since the Drug Court Program began in 2011. Those savings were due in part to reduced recidivism and less incarceration costs. The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, said that the significant cost savings for tax payers Continued on page 2
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