PORT ANGELES — Clallam County’s adult drug court today will graduate its largest class ever.
Ten people are slated to graduate from the program, which is a minimum of one year of intensive treatment.
Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman, an active supporter of drug court, will be the featured guest speaker.
The regular drug court calendar begins at 2 p.m., and the public is invited to attend the graduations, which begin at 3 p.m. in Clallam County Superior Court at the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St.
Clallam County started the state’s first juvenile drug court in 1997 and started one of the first adult drug courts in 1999. The juvenile court to date has graduated 45 participants, and the adult program has graduated 81 participants.
Treatment program
The adult court, led by Judge Ken Williams and Drug Court Coordinator Preston Kayes, is open to people charged with nonviolent, nonsexual crimes and crimes not involving firearms.
Participants undergo a rigorous substance abuse treatment program for a minimum of one year and, if successful, their criminal charges are dismissed.
If they are unsuccessful, they are convicted and sentenced.