NADCP's All Rise America! to Highlight Success of Drug Courts During National Drug Court Month

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) is proud to announce the 2^nd annual All Rise America! National Drug Court Month Roadtrip. The 3,500 mile cross-country RV tour will shine a spotlight on 25 communities that prove addicted people belong in treatment, not prison, and that Drug Courts, DWI Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts are the solution for saving lives, reuniting families and making communities safer. Every stop of All Rise America! will feature events at local treatment courts and highlight inspiring stories of justice reform and personal recovery. The ceremonial All Rise Gavel will be passed at each stop as a symbol that when one person rises out of addiction and finds recovery, we All Rise. Celebrities and national policymakers are scheduled to appear at events along the route.

"Now more than ever, lawmakers are looking for evidence-based solutions to the expensive and tragic problem of drug abuse and related crime," said NADCP CEO West Huddleston.  "All Rise America! will celebrate incredible communities that have come together to ensure that when addiction leads to arrest – be it a veteran, mother, grandparent, or teen – Drug Court, DWI Court or Veterans Treatment Court is available to get people the treatment they need to reclaim their lives and once again be productive citizens."

All Rise America! will begin on April 29 in Santa Maria, California and end on May 31 in New York City.  NADCP will visit communities holding special Drug Court, DWI Court and Veterans Treatment Court events from massive rallies and graduation ceremonies, to community picnics and local service projects.

Over the last two decades, Drug Courts have emerged as the nation's most successful and cost-effective program for getting addicted people into long-term recovery. From combating prescription drug abuse and providing services to the mentally ill, to ensuring justice-involved veterans receive the benefits they have earned, America's 2,700 Drug Courts annually refer more people to treatment than any other system in America and are revolutionizing the nation's approach to drug abuse and crime. Each year, Drug Courts keep 136,000 seriously drug-addicted offenders out of jail and in treatment while under the close supervision of an interdisciplinary team led by a judge and including prosecutors, defense council, probation officers, law enforcement, case managers, and treatment providers. Roughly 75% of the people who complete Drug Court are never arrested again and Drug Courts save up to $27 for every $1 invested.

All Rise America! is made possible by the generous contributions of its sponsors: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics; and Alkermes.  By supporting All Rise America! these companies demonstrate incredible support for Drug Courts, DWI Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts and are helping to ensure that individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders receive evidence-based treatment.

Media is invited to attend each event along the route and will have the opportunity to speak with Drug Court staff, participants, graduates and national leaders. To learn more, visit www.AllRiseAmerica.org.  

All Rise America! Events

Monday, April 29 | 2:30 pm: Santa Maria, CA – Kick-off/Graduation & Rally
Tuesday, April 30 | 11:00 am: Victorville, CA – Court Session, Speeches
Wednesday, May 1 | 9:00 am: Las Vegas, NV - Graduation
Friday, May 3 | 11:00 am: Page, AZ – Community Event
Monday, May 6 | 11:00 am: Durango, CO – Community Open House, Graduation
Tuesday, May 7 | 9:00 am: Colorado Springs, CO – Collaboration Celebration
Wednesday, May 8 | 3:00 pm: Denver, CO - Graduation
Monday, May 13 | 9:00 am: Kansas City, MO – Graduation & Health Fair
Monday, May 13 | 3:00 pm: Columbia, MO - Graduation
Tuesday, May 14 | 4:00 pm: St. Louis, MO - Rally and Cardinals Game
Wednesday, May 15 | 11:00 am: Bloomington, IL - Graduation
Thursday, May 16 | 2:30 pm: Chicago, IL - Graduation
Friday, May 17 | 2:00 pm: Gary, IN - Graduation
Monday, May 20 | 1:00 pm: Portage, IN - Graduation
Tuesday, May 21 | 1:00 pm: Cassopolis, MI – Community Event
Tuesday, May 21 | 4:00 pm: Kalamazoo, MI – Graduation & Rally
Wednesday, May 22 | 10:00 am: Ann Arbor, MI - Rally
Wednesday, May 22 | 2:30 pm: Detroit, MI - Rally
Thursday, May 23 | 9:00 am: Cleveland, OH – Compliance Docket & Health Education Fair
Friday, May 24 | 12:00 pm: Youngstown, OH – Parade & Rally
Tuesday, May 28 | 9:00 am: Clarion County, PA – Graduation
Tuesday, May 28 | 2:30 pm: Lewisburg, PA – Rally, Graduation next morning
Wednesday, May 29 | 12:00 pm: Scranton, PA – Court & Community Event
Friday, May 31 | 1:00 pm: New York City, NY – Graduation and Finale