[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10509-10510]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL DRUG COURT MONTH

  (Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I stand in recognition 
of National Drug Court Month and the important work done by drug courts 
in my district and around the country.
  Drug courts combine intense judicial supervision and comprehensive 
treatment in community-wide approaches to

[[Page 10510]]

rehabilitation. They bring together teams of judges, attorneys, 
treatment providers, child advocates and law enforcement officers. 
Their tireless work gives nonviolent offenders a second chance to get 
clean and take back their lives.
  In my district, drug court programs have enhanced public safety, 
saved taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, saved lives. Since 1999, 
the Snohomish County Drug Court in Everett, Washington, has graduated 
over 300 participants, of whom 94 percent have remained clean.
  Drug courts are widely recognized as the most effective solution for 
reducing crime and recidivism among drug-addicted offenders. They come 
at a fraction of the cost of standard incarceration, and they work. It 
is our responsibility at the Federal level to provide the funds 
necessary to ensure that their services are available to people that 
need them.
  So congratulations to dedicated drug court professionals and 
graduates from Washington State and around the country on a job well 
done. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication.

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