DRUG COURT GRADUATION

RUSSELLVILLE--The second Franklin County Drug Court Graduation was a
picnic celebration held at Sloss Lake in Russellville on June 20, 2003.

Nine graduates received certificates and medallions to commemorate the
event, while friends and family members joined them in a cook-out with
all the trimmings.

Participants in the drug court program are nonviolent, adult criminals
who have a history of substance abuse, have received rehabilitation
services, undergone mandatory drug testing, and have had their
progress monitored. Names of the graduates are withheld to protect
their privacy.

Drug Court Executive Director Eugene Pierce reports that the Drug
Court works with a number of agencies, including the State Department
of Human Resources, the State Employment Services, Russellville
Hospital, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, the District
Attorney's Office, all the city police departments in the county,
Riverbend Center for Mental Health, Sunrise Lodge and Freedom House,
Tri-County Outreach, the judges and all their staff to help the
graduates re-enter the community successfully.

"This is not just a Drug Court program, it is a community program,"
said Pierce.

The Franklin County Drug Court is being funded by a $467,684 grant
received from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) in July 2001. The grant
ensures funding over three years. At the end of the three years the
program is expected to be self-sustaining.

According to Drug Court Office Manager, Sheryl Plott the program has
achieved it's non-profit status (501C3), and should have no problem
continuing it's services when the grant is exhausted.

There is a substantial connection between drugs and crime, and the
goal of Drug Court is to eliminate drug use and abuse in Franklin County.