Drug Treatment Court

Admission	Treatment
Program Requirements	Participant Fees
Graduation	Contacts

Drug Court Informational Video

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The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court is an 18-month pre and post adjudication program.  This program handles non-violent felony substance abuse cases through intensive supervision, drug treatment and rehabilitation.  A rigorous program that holds its participants fully accountable for their own acts, the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court requires great commitment from its participants to attend frequent meetings, hearings and routine testing.  This program offers first-time offenders a unique opportunity to have their charges dismissed when they successfully meet program requirements.  The District Attorney will then file a motion to nolle prosequi the case yielding no criminal conviction.  Participants that are in the program due to a probation violation will have the opportunity to have the violation removed from their record or avoid incarceration time.

The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court consists of five phases crafted to ensure that each Participant receives the right amount and type of treatment throughout his or her recovery path. The first six weeks are a structured time allowing Participants to clearly understand the goals and objectives of his or her commitment to the program. During this time, the Participant has the opportunity to become physically stable in order to prepare for the intense treatment in the following phases. A series of didactic and educational groups as well as psychotherapy teach the Participants character building, improvement of interpersonal skills, and relapse prevention. As the Participant progresses through each phase, treatment services become less intensive allowing him or her to become more responsible, understanding, and independent in the community.

Cobb County Drug Treatment Court Mission
The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court is determined to reduce the rates of substance abuse, crime, and recidivism by providing intensive supervision, treatment and judicial guidance for alcohol and/ or chemically dependant individuals.  The purpose of the treatment program is to integrate substance abuse treatment with the justice system, for reduction of recidivism, promotion of individual responsibility, citizenship, and of public safety. 

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Admission
Eligibility Criteria (Pre-Plea)

 

• 17 (+) years of age;
• Offender must be Non-Violent;
• First felony offense;
• Cobb County resident
• Must hold a valid social security card;
• Must be approved by the District Attorneys Office;
• Must voluntarily agree to participate in Drug Treatment Court Program.

 

Eligibility Criteria (Post-Plea)

 

• 17 (+) years of age;
• Offender must be Non-Violent;
• Must hold a valid social security card;
• Must be sentenced by the assigned Judge;
• Must be approved by the Drug Treatment Court Team.

 

 

Exclusion Criteria (Pre-Plea)

 

• Possession with intent (trafficking, manufacturing, or distribution) charge;
• Prior felony conviction;
• Prior deferred adjudication;
• Current parole status;
• Cobb County resident
• History of violent conduct;
• Severe mental illness;
• Unstable medical condition;
• Out of state warrants;
• Severe developmental deficiency;
• INS hold;
• Previously terminated from Drug Treatment Court.

 

Exclusion Criteria (Post-Plea)

 

• History of violent conduct;
• Severe mental illness;
• Unstable medical condition;
• Out of state warrants;
• Severe developmental deficiency;
• INS hold.

 
Application Process

A drug treatment court application packet is available in the office.  After the Defense Attorney completes all necessary documents required by the program and files a petition for pretrial diversion order, he or she reviews the case to decide if the prospective Participant meets predetermined eligibility requirements. The District Attorney then refers the candidate to the Drug Treatment Court Administrators for further screening. The Drug Treatment Court Administrators use assessment tools to complete the screening process. After the screening is completed, the entire Drug Treatment Court Team uses information gathered during screening to vote on admission of the candidate to the program.
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Treatment

The Drug Treatment Court continues its cooperative effort by contracting with WellStar Health System. WellStar Health System has hospitals located in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties, and physician services located in Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. WellStar provides all treatment, groups, detox, drug screens, and therapy for the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court. Information gathered during screening and assessment allows us in cooperation with WellStar to develop the appropriate individualized treatment plan for each Participant.

Within one week of admission, the Program Psychiatrist will complete a full evaluation of each Participant. Information from this evaluation will be used to develop the Participant's treatment plan and help identify if additional referrals are necessary to help the Participant on his/her road to recovery.

There are 5 phases to the program with varying degrees of supervision and drug screening. A group schedule is as follows:

Phase	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm	9-12pm
2	6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm		9-12pm
3	6:15-8pm		6:15-8pm	6:15-8pm
4		6:15-8pm		6:15-8pm
5

Phase description:

Phase I: Orientation
Approximately 6 weeks/ 5 treatment group meetings/ 3 12-step meeting or related a week. Phase I is a stabilization phase that allows each Participant to learn the basics of the treatment program, rules and requirements, etiquette, treatment planning, psychiatric evaluation, nursing assessments, 12-step or related introduction/ meeting attendance, sponsor, home group, etc. In order to monitor the Participant’s progress, he or she attends court weekly and must obtain at least 2-3 random drug screens per week.

Phase II: Addiction Education
Approximately 12 weeks/ 4 treatment group meetings/ 3 12-step or related meetings a week. As a foundation of this phase, intensive outpatient treatment groups consist of both didactic and educational groups. The Participant attends court weekly and obtains at least two random drug screens per week. Family participation is also required in this phase. Participants must complete Phase I and other assignments.

Phase III: Relapse Prevention
Approximately 12 weeks / 3 group meetings/ 3 12-step or related meetings a week. Phase III is founded on Relapse Prevention techniques. Participants continue to participate in didactic groups with a combination of psychotherapy. The Participant attends court twice a month, and obtains at least two random drug screens per week. Phase II, Phase III Relapse Prevention Plan and other assignments are required to be completed before transition to the next phase.

Phase IV: Foundation Building
Approximately 22 weeks/ 2 group meetings/ 3 12-step or related meetings a week. Specialized groups provide the structure of this phase allowing character building. The Participant attends court twice a month, and obtains at least one random drug screen per week. This phase is founded on the improvement of interpersonal skills. Participants will also be matched up with a Phase I Participant of the same gender to mentor. Phase III, Phase IV and an autobiography are required to be completed before transition to the next phase.

Phase V: Maintenance
Approximately 26 weeks/ group meetings as ordered by the court. No treatment is required during this phase. The last phase not only offers the Participant support in returning back into the environment, but also encourages him or her to take responsibility of his/ her life. The Participant attends court monthly, meets with their sponsor weekly, attends regular weekly 12 step or alike meetings and obtains at least one random drug screen per week. The Participant is required to complete fourty hours public service to an approved Cobb County agency of their choice for the purpose of giving back to the community.   

Directions to Treatment Center:
From I-75 (Driving South): Take exit 260, Windy Hill Road. Turn right onto Windy Hill Rd. heading West toward Smyrna. Travel approximately ¼ mile and turn right onto South Park Place. Turn left into the WellStar Windy Hill Exchange parking lot.

From I-75 (Driving North): Take exit 260, Windy Hill Rd. Turn left onto Windy Hill Rd. heading West toward Smyrna. Travel approximately ¼ mile and turn right onto South Park Place. Turn left into WellStar Windy Hill Exchange parking lot.

WellStar
Windy Hill Exchange
2000 South Park Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
770-956-6470

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Program Requirements

Each participant will be required to attend AA/NA meetings, in addition to the treatment sessions. A 12-step meeting schedule is as follows:

Phase	Meetings (p/week)
1	3
2	3
3	3
4	3
5	3

Each participant will be required to attend court sessions as follows:

Phase	Court Schedule
1	Weekly
2	Weekly
3	1st and 3rd Monday of month
4	2nd and 4th Monday of month
5	Monthly

Each participant is financially responsible for a portion, if not all, of his or her treatment.

The total cost of the program is $2400.00

Each participant is expected to be gainfully employed or in school full-time.

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Participant Fees

Each Participant is financially responsible for all of their treatment through Participant fees. The total cost for the program is $2,400. The cost of the program includes all court fees, treatment, drug screens, and a psychiatric evaluation.

Participants must pay fees by cash, certified check, or money order weekly to the accounting division of the clerk’s office. No personal checks are accepted. Failure to pay fees may result in sanctions. A database will be kept that tracks all payments made by Participants, and their current balances due. If the Participant faces problems with meeting financial obligations, it is the Participant’s responsibility to notify their Case Manager who then reports this issue to the Drug Treatment Court Team for discussion.

All Participant fees must be paid in full before eligible for graduation from the program.
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Graduation

Near the end of Phase V, the Participant will complete an application for graduation and turn it into the Drug Treatment Court Coordinator for it to be reviewed and approved by the Drug Treatment Court Team.

When Participants successfully meet all Drug Treatment Court obligations, formal graduation ceremonies are conducted. Successful completion of the Drug Treatment Court Program consists of the following conditions:

• Pay all program fees
• Completion of all treatment requirements
• Complete all require 12-step meetings
• Be crime free
• 6 months of sobriety and negative drug screens
• Full time employment or student (Judge can make case by case exception)

 Graduation recognizes the Participant’s accomplishments. The Drug Treatment Court Team, all Drug Treatment Court interveners, and even the arresting officers are invited to the graduation. This ceremony is an excellent example of what cooperation between criminal justice agencies can achieve. Graduates may be presented with a certificate of achievement and a token of congratulations. Post graduation activities include an alumni association, and aftercare plans.

No later than one month prior to the completion of the program, Participants will schedule and complete an exit interview with the Drug Treatment Court program office. 

While graduates no longer need to appear in court, they will be encouraged to be involved with a monthly aftercare, and occasionally update the Judge and Drug Treatment Court Team of their success in the community.


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Contacts

For any questions or concerns please contact the Drug Treatment Court office:

• Kristie Garrett, L.P.C.
  Drug Court Administrator
  kristie.garrett@cobbcounty.org

• Judge George Kreeger

Drug Court Judge

Phone: 770-528-1837

• Stan Graham
  Drug Court Coordinator
  Stan.Graham@cobbcounty.org

30 Waddell Street, Suite 616
Marietta, GA 30090-9642
Phone: 770-528-8567
Fax: 770-528-8588

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Other contacts:

Deputy Katherine Brou

Drug Court Law Enforcement Agent
185 Roswell Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9650
770 499-4701

Judge George Kreeger
Superior Court Judge,
Drug Court Judge
30 Waddell Street
Marietta, GA 30090-9642
770-528-1837

Gloria Ricci, R.N.
Treatment Coordinator
WellStar Health System
Windy Hill Exchange
2000 South Park Place
Atlanta, GA 30339

Grady Moore
Prosecutor
10 East Park Square
Marietta, GA 30090-9602

Dr. Christopher Riddell
Medical Director and Board Certified Psychiatrist
770-644-1570

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