Press release:
Darien Town Justice Gary A. Graber has been awarded a scholarship from the National Judicial College to attend the course "Drugs in America Today: What Every Judge Needs to Know" in Reno, Nev., Aug, 25-27.
Drug abuse is an ever-present issue that will appear with increasing frequency in courts around the country. The use of drugs not only affects the user on a personal level, but also has a profound negative effect on those who are close to, and interact with the user. No matter the type of case, they all have the potential to involve a participant who is under the influence of drugs.
As such, it is important for judges today to recognize and understand the drug issues that plague many Americans today, and to find ways to effectively manage the issue, so as to reduce recidivism. This course will provide an in-depth analysis on the science behind drug addiction, and will offer practical solutions for the judge to manage these types of cases.
This course will provide an in-depth analysis on the science behind drug addiction, and will offer practical solutions for the judge to manage these types of cases. The course will start with an introductory session on basic brain chemistry, and then will move to a thorough analysis of the physiological and psychological effects of specific categories of drugs. In addition, the course will provide practical skills in order to determine which type of drug(s), if any, a user might be under the influence of, and will offer different types of treatment options, which will cover psychological, behavioral, and social aspects.
The course will address several special populations, such as juveniles, those with co-occurring disorders, and veterans, and will provide examples of effective management and sentencing strategies for each group. Finally, the course will offer examples of effective solutions to bring about positive change in the drug user, while also providing effective sentencing options.
Justice Graber is an alumnus and faculty member of the National Judicial College located in Reno, Nevada.
