The Philadelphia Treatment Court (see Spring issue), hosted its first graduation ceremony on June 17 in CJC Courtroom 304. In operation since April 1997, the Court graduated four individuals who met all established conditions and treatment.

Graduates listened to encouraging words from MC Treatment Court Judge Louis J. Presenza, CP Supervising Judge Legrome Davis, District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Chief Defender Ellen Greenlee, and Health Commissioner Estelle Richmond. Graduates also listened intently to the heart wrenching, personal experiences of commencement speaker World B. Free, Community Relations representative of the Philadelphia 76ers. World B. Free, ranked 41st on the all-time NBA scoring list, shared his experiences of indirectly dealing with substance abuse and the detrimental effects drugs have had on close family members.

Treatment Court Judge Louis J. Presenza presented each graduate a certificate and dismissed their case. Each graduate spoke before a packed courtroom and relayed their experiences and struggles of "becoming clean" over the past year. Through continued aftercare plans established by the court, treatment will continue. All defendants are employed and one is entering Community College in the Fall. Should the defendant not be rearrested and convicted and remain drug-free for one year from the graduation date, the arrest will be expunged from his/her record.

As of July 1, 120 defendants have entered the nine month program. Thus far, the failure to appear (FTA) rate is 3% and the rearrest rate is 10%.