1Recognizing the month of May 2014 as "National Drug Court Month"
2in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, This year marks the 25th anniversary of the nation's
4first Drug Court; and

5WHEREAS, Over the past 25 years Drug Courts have served over
61.4 million individuals; and

7WHEREAS, Drug Courts are now recognized as the most
8successful criminal justice intervention in our nation's
9history; and

10WHEREAS, Drug Courts save up to $27 for every $1 invested and
11produce up to $13,000 for every individual they serve; and

12WHEREAS, Seventy-five percent of Drug Court graduates will
13never see another pair of handcuffs; and

14WHEREAS, Drug Courts significantly improve substance abuse
15treatment outcomes, substantially reduce drug abuse and crime,

1and do so at less expense than any other justice strategy; and

2WHEREAS, Drug Courts facilitate community-wide partnerships,
3bringing together public safety and public health professionals
4in the fight against drug abuse and criminality; and

5WHEREAS, There are now 2,840 Drug Courts nationwide; and

6WHEREAS, Drug Courts are the cornerstone of criminal justice
7reform sweeping the nation; and

8WHEREAS, The extraordinary expansion of Drug Courts and the
9principles and practices 25 years ago has helped cause 40 years
10of escalating prison populations to decline; and

11WHEREAS, Drug Courts demonstrate that when one person rises
12out of drugs and crime, we all rise; and

13WHEREAS, The time has come to put a Drug Court within reach
14of every eligible person in need; therefore be it

15RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
16month of May 2014 as "National Drug Court Month" in Pennsylvania
17and the significant contributions Drug Courts have made over the
18past 25 years toward reducing substance abuse, crime and
19recidivism while saving valuable resources.