County working to reduce AODA-related offenses
Public Forum:
Ozaukee County, like other counties in the state and around the country, is not immune to drug and alcohol problems and the impact they have on our judicial system and our communities. Residents may be unaware of the significant work being done to address these problems and investigate current best practices and successful programs with the goal of reducing offenses related to alcohol and other drug abuse.
In early 2007, a subcommittee of Ozaukee County's Health and Human Services committee was formed consisting of representatives from the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department, county child welfare and juvenile justice services, school districts and nonprofit organizations. This group worked for 18 months, learning about effective justice strategies and successful programs from around the state that address alcohol and other drug abuse offenders.
Ozaukee County created a Criminal Justice Collaborating Council in March 2008. The goal of our CJCC is to reduce the number of offenses committed in Ozaukee County directly attributed to the use of alcohol and drugs, specifically underage drinking and drunken driving. The overriding goal is to reduce recidivism rates for alcohol- and drug-related offenses.
Juvenile offenders in court on alcohol and drug charges are being required to undergo assessments through Starting Point. A treatment group designed to specifically impact repeat drunken-driving offenses through a cognitive behavioral model has been started. An Ozaukee County AODA Providers Summit was held in December to promote collaboration between public and private programs to determine the resources in our county and find ways to utilize each other's services. Potential partnerships also exist with our county Health Department and Veterans Services.
Tragedies continually remind us of the importance of working together to find ways to address these issues in our county. Please know we are working hard.
Cindy Bock
Ozaukee County Board supervisor
Criminal Justice Collaborating
Council member
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