South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s Second Circuit Drug Court is partnering with the University of South Dakota to provide critical support for treatment court participants.
USD’s Department of Addiction Counseling & Prevention has secured a five-year, $2 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand substance use disorder treatment and recovery support for Second Circuit Drug Court participants. Brennan Thompson, director of Addiction Counseling & Prevention, and Melissa Dittberner, Ph.D., faculty, are administering the project, titled “System and Community Interventions to Prevent Incarceration and Reduce Stigma,” for a healthier South Dakota.
“This is a life changing opportunity for treatment court participants in our community. This partnership will allow our participants to thrive, and when that happens everyone benefits,” said Second Circuit Drug Court Judge Pat Riepel. “We are so thankful to USD for seeing the need and taking action to address substance use disorders. Providing counseling and addressing prevention are crucial to the recovery community.”
Administered by the Unified Judicial System, treatment courts provide an innovative approach to rehabilitating those substantially impacted by a substance use disorder or mental health disorder who are likely to continue to commit crimes without intervention. This is a public health approach to justice reform in which treatment providers partner with probation, defense, prosecution, law enforcement and the judge to ensure individuals before the courts receive personalized and evidence-based treatment, ongoing support and recovery services.
For individuals with substance use disorders, there is a need for treatment rather than incarceration. The grant will provide prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services for those individuals with substance use disorders who are involved in the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.
The grant will allow the hiring of a justice navigator to help participants effectively navigate the court system, a medical doctor’s services to provide medication, assisted treatment and holistic health screenings, and cultural experts to help review the treatment court process. The grant will also expand peer support services, in which Dittberner is a recognized expert.
Noreen Plumage, director of UJS Treatment Courts, said this unique partnership with USD was designed with the participants in mind and aligns with the treatment court philosophy and best practices. The grant is structured to enhance the court’s operations and empower the treatment court team to learn from, adapt and implement these valuable resources.
“This significant grant underscores the power of strong community partnerships, which are the foundation of effective and sustainable treatment courts,” Plumage said. “This collaboration with USD highlights how working together can provide critical support for participants, while ensuring the long-term success of the court.”
Thompson says he hopes this effort will promote change to improve abstinence from substance use, housing stability, employment status, social connectedness, behavioral consequences and reduce criminal justice involvement.
“This is an opportunity to accompany more people on their journeys, help to keep more families intact, and collaborate with our amazing community partners,” Thompson said.
Dittberner added that the hope is to reduce generational trauma and the stigma of mental health and substance use disorders.
“This funding will enable us to provide comprehensive support, addressing addiction and mental health needs through a collaborative approach, ensuring that participants receive holistic care throughout their recovery journeys,” Dittberner said.
There are 17 treatment courts operating in South Dakota, which include drug court, DUI court, veterans court and mental health court.