Appleton opens doors to new drug court program

By Sara Foster, Associate Editor

Judge Michael W. Gage

Outagamie County recently celebrated the first session of its new drug court, a pilot program. Since then, the court has convened every Thursday, serving a group of five offenders.

The Appleton drug court program is the latest in a growing number of problem solving court programs across the state. As of October 2008, 1,001 participants had graduated from at least 21 drug court programs in Wisconsin.

Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Gage, who is volunteering his time to organize and preside over the court program, said the participants are facing significant challenges, and, should they fail in the drug court program, face revocation and possible prison time.

The Appleton program was modeled after the Winnebago County Safe Streets Drug Court with one key difference: the Appleton version works with offenders on probation, rather than focusing on diversion from prosecution. The program provides an enhanced level of supervision for people already on probation by monitoring, sanctioning and rewarding progress for participants on a weekly basis.

Along with Gage, Judges Nancy J. Krueger and Mitchell J. Metropulos are volunteering their time for the court program. Court responsibilities are rotated among the three judges. Also on the team are representatives from the District Attorney's Office and State Public Defender's Office. Providing day-to-day coordination of the program is a volunteer intern who is completing a master's degree. The program also receives volunteer assistance through one of the local treatment programs.

Gage called funding for the program a miracle. When the idea was suggested a year ago, supporters knew there was no money in the county coffers and that grant opportunities were limited, so they tried to fashion a program that would operate on a shoestring, making use of resources available in the community and charging individuals a modest fee to participate. The budget does not allow for any assessment or treatment of participants, so the drug court program is unable to offer either option.

Gage said an important key to the success of the program has been the involvement and support of the county's Coordinating Council, which brings together judges, representatives from the State Public Defender's Office and District Attorney's Office, law enforcement, county board supervisors, and supervisors in probation and parole. A growing number of counties across Wisconsin have established coordinating councils to bring together decision makers to tackle a variety of issues related to criminal justice.

Gage said organizing the drug court program has been a big commitment, but it is very satisfying if the participants maintain sobriety.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson spoke of the important role drug courts play in the Wisconsin court system during her 2008 State of the Judiciary Address: "These court problem-solving programs," she said, "offer intensive supervision to enable chronic offenders to kick their drug and alcohol habits and become contributing members of society." 

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