Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court Envelope Party - 10/28
Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court Fundraiser Envelope Party
DH Browns Thursday, October 28, 2025 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court invite you to join them at DH Brown’s on Thursday, October 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Since 2023, there have been 68 individuals who have successfully completed all of the requirements of the Problem-Solving Courts in Sangamon County and we have another 18 ready to graduate in October 2025. Over the last three years the Problems-Solving Courts have averaged 22 graduates per year. National statistics indicate that individuals who complete all requirements of the Problem-Solving Courts have significantly fewer rearrests and those participants who graduate have a much lower rate of recidivism than do individuals who do not complete the program.
So what are Problem-Solving Courts?
Problem Solving Courts, like the Sangamon County Drug Court, is a highly structured judicial intervention program for those struggling to cope with a substance use disorder. By design, the program model brings together a collaborative, interdisciplinary team of professionals. The intent is to reduce drug use, prevent relapse and criminal recidivism. This is accomplished through risk and needs assessments, frequent judicial interaction, intensive supervision, extensive treatment, frequent drug testing, graduated system of sanctions but, most importantly, a high dosage of positive reinforcement and other more tangible incentives. Sangamon County (Springfield, Illinois) has three active Problem Solving Courts: Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Recovery Court and Veterans Treatment Court.
How do the Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court help?
The Problem Solving Courts are very fortunate to have continued support through our local non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court, which was established in 2016. While the Problem Solving Courts have been supported through various grants throughout the years and they continue to seek avenues to obtain financial resources to remain sustainable in the future, Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court can offer participants assistance that might otherwise be unavailable.
The Board has supported the Problem Solving Courts, namely Drug Court, throughout the years in multiple ways including but not limited to providing basic needs to program participants like scheduling planners, hygiene supplies, medication re-fills, mass transit bus tokens/passes. They have assisted the team with the purchase of incentives to reward program progress. Also, they have funded pro-social sober events for participants and ‘graduates’ (alumni) so they can have fellowship with and provide peer support to current program participants which is an essential element of long term recovery and recommended by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Further, Friends has helped bridge gaps in resources needed to supply program participants with safe, sober housing. Safe sober housing is an integral piece to long-term recovery for those in the problem solving courts programs. Yet, safe sober housing is costly and scarce. As such, Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court has helped fund an initial month of sober housing in one of several approved, structured sober homes in the Springfield area for participants having completed all recommended residential substance abuse treatment program requirements.
Friends of Sangamon County Drug Court consists, presently, of a board of eight (8) professionals within our local community. They are as follows: Mike Mannion, Doris Turner, Matt O’Shea, Eric Madiar, Matt Maddox, Tony Rossi, Mike Torchia and DeAnn Richard.
We hope to see you on October 28, 2025 at D H Browns.
Thank you for your time and consideration.