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Drug court graduate praises Beltrami County program as coordinator outlines outcomes
Summary
A Drug Court graduate described sustained sobriety and family reconnection after completing Beltrami County Drug Court; coordinator Ali McGrath said the intensive 15-month program has 18 active participants, 17 graduations since 2021 and a reported 5% one-year recidivism rate among graduates.
A former participant and a coordinator of Beltrami County's Drug Court spoke to commissioners on May 31 about participant outcomes and the program's structure.
"The program... brought me to the realization that yes, the judicial system wants us to succeed," graduate Mia said, describing the program as transformative and adding, "this is the longest I've stayed sober from being in that program." Mia told commissioners that staff maintained contact after graduation and that ongoing outreach and support were important to her recovery.
Coordinator Ali McGrath described the program as an intensive, court-supervised pathway that blends treatment and accountability. McGrath said the program is a minimum of 15 months, involves a team including the county judge, probation, treatment centers and law enforcement, and that it has produced 17 graduations since 2021. She said 18 individuals are currently active in the program and that the reported recidivism rate for graduates within one year is about 5%.
McGrath and Mia emphasized both public-safety and rehabilitative goals: McGrath framed the court's mission as improving community safety by addressing addiction through treatment combined with judicial oversight.
No formal board action was associated with the presentation; commissioners thanked the presenters for sharing. The program representatives encouraged continued collaboration with local treatment providers and justice partners.
