The Douglas County District Court Adult Drug Court celebrated its 103rd Commencement on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

To graduate participants must have demonstrated sustained abstinence from the use of controlled substances and alcohol; satisfactorily participated in a substance-abuse treatment program; completed educational and employment objectives established by the Adult Drug Court’s clinical staff; and participated in frequent performance reviews. Six participants were recognized for their successful completion of the program’s stringent requirements. 

Douglas County Adult Drug Court judges are Thomas A. Otepka, Gary B. Randall, Leigh Ann Retelsdorf and Gregory M. Schatz.

The December ceremony brought the total number of participants who have graduated from the Adult Drug Court program to 1,992.  The Douglas County District Court Adult Drug Court was implemented in April of 1997 to divert non-violent, substance-abusing felony offenders into a comprehensive, judicially supervised program of substance-abuse treatment.  Participants also focus on employment, educational, and other self-improvement goals.

There are currently 101 active participants in the Adult Drug Court program. In addition, no fewer than 132 drug-free babies have been born to drug-free mothers participating in Adult Drug Court. The District Court Adult Drug Court has proven to be an innovative, cost-effective program to assist substance-abusing individuals in making life-changing differences for themselves, their families, and the community.

For further information on the Adult Drug Court program, contact Adult Drug Court Coordinator Paul J. Yakel at (402) 599-2655 or at pyakel@dc4dc.com.

Photo: Problem-Solving Court Judge Tom Otepka (right) with December graduate.