The 16^th JDC has been successful in developing one of the first DRUG COURT TREATMENT programs in the state of Louisiana in its St. Mary Parish Drug Court.  A Drug Court is a special court with the responsibility of handling cases of non-violent, drug-affected offenders through the use of intensive treatment and supervision instead of prison. Frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, addiction counseling, treatment, and educational as well as vocational training opportunities are all important to the success of a drug court program.

The Drug Court is a unique partnership among the Judge, District Attorney, Probation Officer, and Treatment professionals. The treatment team includes the program director, social service counselors, case managers, employers, and educators. The drug court works with offenders to provide the assistance and monitoring needed to promote recovery. 

In ST. MARY PARISH, DRUG COURTS exist for both adults, based on the STRAIGHT program and juveniles, based on the FIRST program. These programs are recognized as national models and St. Mary Drug Courts are National Mentor Court sites.  Among only 21 Mentor Court sites in the nation, the St. Mary Parish Drug Court programs provide training for other drug court professionals throughout the U.S.

The IBERIA PARISH DRUG COURTS, including both adult and juvenile components, have been in existence since 1998. Drug courts provide a chance for drug-affected teens and first offenders convicted of non-violent crimes to turn their lives around and break free of addictions without serving lengthy prison sentences.

In addition to these Drug Court programs, the 16^th Judicial District currently has begun an ex-offender Re-entry Court in St. Mary Parish to help ease ex-offenders back into the community after serving prison sentences. With the high rate of incarceration in America, it is more important than ever to have an effective program in place to assist inmates to return to the community at the end of their sentences; the Re-entry Court will help ex-offenders to return to the community as law-abiding, sober and drug-free citizens. 

The Drug Courts and Re-entry Court make significant contributions to the 16^th Judicial District, in tax savings as well as reductions in crime. The Drug Courts and Re-entry Court increase overall community safety, preserve families, and increase child well-being, thereby making St. Mary and Iberia Parishes better places to live.