The 16th J.D.C. Reentry Drug Court has been created in order to help cope with the problems emanating from the nearly 60% of arrestees whose crimes are associated with drugs and/or alcohol. Like most other areas, the 16^th Judicial District's major substance abuse problem centers around cocaine/crack and alcohol. However, the district has seen a significant increase in the abuse of all major drugs including alcohol within the past five years.
The Reentry Drug Court is the latest in a line of forward-thinking rehabilitation oriented drug courts in the 16^th Judicial District. The first was the St. Mary Adult Drug Court Outpatient Clinic that was begun on January 6^th, 1997. There is also a Juvenile Drug Court and like the adult and reentry courts is located in Franklin, LA while the clinics are located in Bayou Vista, LA at 1101 Southeast Blvd. The programs can be reached by phone at 985-399-5777, by fax at 985-399-5778, or by email at llevy@drugcourt.com. The adult programs are modeled after the Pensacola Drug Court Program and utilize the 12 Step recovery principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The 16^th Judicial District is also served by an Outpatient Drug Court Clinic in New Iberia, LA which was opened in 1998.
The Reentry Court has been designed to facilitate successful reintegration of ex-offenders into the law-abiding world. This goal will be achieved through an intensive in-prison treatment program focusing on both substance abuse and criminality issues. An important aspect of this program will be the seamless transition into an outpatient program following release.
  Honorable William D. Hunter, District Judge was instrumental in the planning and implementation of these programs. For the Reentry Court, Judge Hunter has assembled a program team consisting of representatives from of the DA's office, Probation and Parole, the Sheriff's office including the corrections staff, and a treatment team headed by Lars Levy. The Louisiana Supreme Court has also been a great help in the creation of this program.