One of the nation’s oldest drug rehabilitation courts marks its 20th anniversary in Multnomah County with a celebration to welcome back both graduates of the sobriety program and the program’s local founder.
The 20th anniversary celebration of the Sanction Treatment Opportunity Progress (STOP) Court will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15 in Room 602 of the Multnomah County Courthouse (1021 SW Fourth Ave.) with remarks from STOP court alumni, Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk, program founder Harl Haas and others.
The anniversary celebration will be preceded by the regular graduation ceremony for the most recent round of STOP Court graduates at Judge Angel Lopez’s courtroom (#324) at 1:30 p.m. in Room 324 (Media wishing to bring video or still cameras into the court for the 1:30 p.m. ceremony should contact judicial assistant Suanne York at 503-988-3068.)
Since the STOP court’s inception in Multnomah County, more than 2,500 people have graduated.
“It is a very economical program that yields incredible results,” said Judge Lopez, who supervises STOP Court. “STOP gets people out of the tailspin of drug addiction, reunites families and makes our community safer.”
Multnomah County’s STOP court--the nation’s second oldest such court after the drug court in Dade County, Fla.--provides options for those with substance abuse problems who face criminal charges of Level 1 Felony Drug Possession or Tampering with Drug Records.
Participants undergo intensive substance abuse treatment and report often to drug court for compliance with a program that has proven results in reducing recidivism.
“Participants learn to change their friends, their thinking patterns and sense of what’s important,” Judge Lopez said. “It’s a life-changing experience.”
.Volunteers of America manages the program with funds from the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, U.S. Bureau of Justice Administration, Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, client fees and third-party insurance reimbursement.
WHERE: Multnomah County Courthouse (1021 SW Fourth Ave.)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 15. 1:30 p.m. graduation in Judge Lopez’s court (Room 324) followed by 4 p.m. 20th anniversary celebration (Room 602).
WEB: To learn more about the STOP program, http://www.voaor.org/stop_court.
Contacts
Hank Stern, Multnomah County communications office, (503) 988-6045 (o), 503-927-7108cell.