Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Teitelman sang the praises of the state's drug court system during his annual State of the Judiciary Address Wednesday.
He told lawmakers that 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the state’s drug courts, which provide treatment options for non-violent drug offenders.
“With a graduation rate exceeding 50 percent, Missouri now has more than 12,000 graduates who successfully have completed treatment court programs," Teitelman said. "In addition, nearly 600 drug-free babies have been born to treatment court participants.”
Teitelman says the successes of Missouri’s drug courts have led to the creation of treatment courts for DWI offenders and for struggling military veterans. The Chief Justice also began his speech with a moment of silence for Cardinals’ slugger and Hall of Famer Stan Musial.
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