RAMSTAD CALLS HENNEPIN COUNTY DRUG COURT A NATIONAL LEADER

Hennepin County Drug Court leads the nation with its visionary approach to
treating addictions, U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad said Monday at a Drug Court
awards ceremony.

"Chemical addiction is a major contributor to crime. Treatment makes sense
and is cost-effective. For every $1 in treatment, you save $7 down the
road," he said.

Ramstad, a Republican representing the Third District, said he has long
admired the work of Drug Court, which focuses on treatment and handles all
felony cases in which a drug crime is the most serious offense.

"I had a second chance in my life," he said. Next month, he'll celebrate
his 20th year as a recovering alcoholic, Ramstad said. He was able to turn
his life around because he received treatment, he said.

In the four years that Drug Court has operated, more than 9,000 felony drug
offenders have been helped, Ramstad said.

The court was created to provide more immediate consequences, swifter help
and more intensive supervision.

"Nationally, we need to take a page from Hennepin County Drug Court," he
said. He didn't offer a plan for promoting its use elsewhere.

Ten individuals and two organizations were recognized for their work in the
court.

One of those was Charles Harden, a Drug Court volunteer who works almost
daily escorting people to chemical health services and drug testing.

African American Family Services, which provides outpatient chemical
dependency treatment and other services to Drug Court participants, and
Stairstep Foundation, which has developed a mentoring network in the faith
community, also received awards.

Nine county employees were recognized for their work with the court.