Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court

 "We had a great event.  One of my best days at work that I can remember.  Who else gets to escort the MADCP flag across the Mackinac Bridge on the back of a Harley during work?!  We had a great turnout at our ceremony and speakers included our Tribal Chairperson and a Tribal Board member.  Not to take from the other speakers, but the two current Drug Court participants who spoke were the highlights of the ceremony.  Watching a whole family who has been reunited cry tears of joy and embrace on the courthouse steps is something I won't soon forget.  We also had a prayer for the travelers and the youth drum present.  It was awesome.  Thank you for allowing us to be part of this.  The ripple effect in our community will be felt for a long time to come. "

Chief Tribal Court Judge Jocelyn Fabry

Some Gwiaik Miicon drug court and Family Preservation Court team members, past and present

Bahweting youth drum

One happy, reunified family after mom shared her story of recovery and journey in the Sault Tribal Drug Court

Riders ready

Judge Jocelyn Fabry and her husband Chuck, ready to go!

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian Riders representing the Waabishki - Miigwan Drug Court Programs accompany the group back to Petoskey.  From the left: Anthony Davis Cultural Resources Advisor, Bill Denemy Tribal Council Member, and Michael Garrow LTBB Director of Treasury.

"The weather forecast was cold with the possibility of thunderstorms so only 3 LTBB riders decided to partake in the adventure. They left Petoskey at 7:00 AM on 5/20/13 for Sault Ste Marie to attend the Drug Court Festivities there. The ride was a bit chilly and the Mackinaw Bridge had some strong winds but the group arrived dry and safe around 9:00 AM. They enjoyed the hospitality and the celebration ceremony there.  A very uplifting and rewarding event."  Bill Denemy, Tribal Council Member

Then They Headed to Petoskey

"The group left for Little Traverse Bay Band (LTBB) Drug Court in Petoskey around 11:00 AM. They were escorted the entire route by a Sault Tribe Patrol vehicle and a chase vehicle with drug court personnel pulling up the rear. The Tribal Judge rode the entire ride on the back of a Harley.  There were anywhere from 6 to 9 bikes at any given time participating in the ride south. Once again the Mighty Mac had some strong winds and cool temperatures but the group arrived safely at the LTBB Tribal Court building at 1:00 PM.

Lunch was served and a tour of the LTBB newly remodeled court facilities were provided. The Flag was officially passed to the LTBB Riders. Inclement weather was approaching fast so the crew from the north headed back to try and beat the approaching system"   Bill Denemy, Tribal Council Member

 Finally, Traverse City

"Anthony Davis and Bill Denemy decided to "brave" the approaching storm, so with the flag stowed, they headed south towards Traverse City to continue the journey. A severe thunderstorm was about to hit when they arrived in Charlevoix so they pulled into a car wash (car washes don't get much use in a thunderstorm!) and rode out the storm there safe and dry.  After about a 30 minute wait the storm passed and the sun appeared. Anthony and Bill then continued their trip to Traverse City and the 86th District Court. They arrived around 4:30PM and officially handed off the flag to the group waiting there."

New 2013 Grant Solicitation Released!

Joint Adult Drug Court Solicitation to Enhance Services, Coordination, and Treatment

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), are pleased to announce that they are seeking applications for funding for enhancing Drug Court services, coordination, and substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. This program furthers the missions of DOJ and HHS by providing resources to state, local, and tribal governments and state, local, and tribal courts to enhance drug court programs and systems for nonviolent substance-abusing offenders.

Deadline: Registration with Grants.gov is required prior to application submission. All applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on June 13, 2013.

Learn more and apply here!

The Second Annual Michigan Motorcycle Relay for Recovery will be held May 20, 2013 – May 21, 2013

***DEADLINE TO CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IS FRIDAY, MARCH 29***

In celebration of National Drug Court Month, Michigan will host the 2nd Annual Motorcycle Relay for Recovery. At each stop the MADCP flag will be passed to a new group of riders as a symbol of the collective impact of problem-solving courts.

Participating Courts:

Monday, May 20 – Chippewa Tribal Court, Sault Ste. Marie / 9 am event

Monday, May 20 – Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odowa Indians Waabishki-Miigwan Drug Ct. Program Petoskey / 1 pm flag arrival

Monday, May 20 – 86th District Court, Traverse City / 430 pm flag arrival

Tuesday, May 21 – 58th District Court/20th Circuit Court, Holland / 11 am flag arrival

Tuesday, May 21 – 57th District Court, Allegan / 1 pm flag arrival

Tuesday, May 21 – 9th Circuit Court, Kalamazoo / 4 pm arrival

This year the relay will connect with the NADCP All Rise America! cross country road trip. They are making the following stops:

Tuesday, May 21 - Cass County Probate Court, Cassopolis – Arrival to be determined

Tuesday, May 21 – 9th Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court, Kalamazoo / 4 pm arrival

Wednesday, May 22 – 15th Judicial District Court, Ann Arbor / 10 am arrival

Wednesday, May 22 – 36th District Court, Detroit / 2:30 pm arrival

The following courts will join the relay at one of the four NADCP All Rise America! destinations:

Cassopolis

Berrien County

Ann Arbor

2A District Court, Adrian

52-1 District Veteran’s Treatment Court, Novi

Macomb County Veteran’s Treatment Court

17th District Veteran’s Treatment Court – Redford Township

Detroit

51st District Court, Waterford

Additional courts are invited to join the relay at any of the four national All Rise America! stops. The deadline to confirm participation is Friday, March 29. Please contact Alma Valenzuela at 616-355-4314 for further information, or to confirm participation.

For information regarding the All Rise America! event, please visit their blog: http://www.nadcp.org/all-rise-america-blog/

Click on the colored markers to learn more about each drug and sobriety court.

View Drug & Sobriety Courts in a full screen map

Wednesday, May 30th was a special day for the Cass County Family Treatment Court.   FTC graduated it’s 56th participant, Britia Anderson, whose 11 month old son was returned to her after she successfully completed the program.  “It was a journey, but it’s not over,” Anderson said. “I’m beginning another journey in my life now.”   Britia is enrolled in Southwestern Michigan College and plans to become a drug addictions counselor.    

The celebration began with the arrival of motorcycle riders from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department delivering the MADCP flag to it’s final destination of Cassopolis of the state-wide Relay for Recovery. 

The All Rise reading was given by Probate/Family Court Judge Susan L. Dobrich  to the large group of attendees, which include the Cass County Prosecutor, Cass County Undersheriff, Dowagiac Chief of Police and area newspapers and television stations, among others.

DHS Director Cindy Underwood and Kathy Emans of Woodlands Addiction Center hold the flag as Judge Dobrich speaks.

Current and past participants help Brita (3rd from left) celebrate her graduation.

The graduation ceremony was held in the Cass County Probate/Family Court with a lunch held afterward in the graduate’s honor.

Cass County’s Family Treatment Court has maintained an 80 percent success rate with meth addicts and offenders. Overall, they have attained a 65 percent success rate.  

PRESS COVERAGE LINKS

THE DAILY NEWS:

Relay for Recovery Stops in Cassopolis

CASSOPOLIS VIGILANT:

State Recovery Relay Ends in Cassopolis