(Lawrenceville, Ga., May 8, 2014) – To celebrate National Drug Court Awareness Month, the Gwinnett County Superior Court announces its expansion of its accountability courts. In March, Gwinnett County Drug Court, led by Judge Tom Davis and Director Priscilla Daniels, expanded to its second division with Judge Kathryn Schrader of the Gwinnett Superior Court presiding. Over the past 25 years, drug courts have served more than 1.4 million individuals nationally.

Drug courts significantly improve substance-abuse outcomes, substantially reduce drug abuse and crime and do so at less expense than any other justice strategy. Drug courts save up to $27 for every $1 invested and reduce recidivism by 75 percent. Drug courts also facilitate communitywide partnerships, bringing together public safety and public health professionals in the fight against drug abuse and crime. A communitywide event to mark the 25^th anniversary of drug court is planned for May 18, 2014, at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The community is encouraged to stop by to learn more about Gwinnett County Drug Court.

In addition to the second drug court, the Gwinnett County Superior Court officially launched a Parent Accountability Court in April. The latest addition to the accountability courts, PAC is a collaborative effort led by Judge Kathryn Schrader and PAC Director Kristen Howard, along with the Georgia Division of Child Support Services. Its purpose is to educate and equip participants to become better providers, put their children first, build better families and prevent recidivism. Collaboration between the judiciary, the business community, nonprofits and the faith community in statewide PACs has demonstrated success in reducing outstanding child support obligations, improving family dynamics, saving the state the high cost of incarceration, and reducing the need for public assistance and public medical care.

The Gwinnett County Superior Court also sustains a Mental Health Court division led by Judge Karen E. Beyers. This court is a collaborative program involving representatives from the court, mental health treatment providers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and community advocates all working toward providing treatment rather than punishment. Mental health court targets offenders whose crime would not have occurred had it not been for their mental illness. It links participants not only to mental health services such as counseling and treatment, but also links them to needed social services such as social security, housing, substance abuse treatment and employment.