Last week, the first individuals from Coffee County successfully completed mental health court. Paul Cook and Curtis McCrae graduated from the local mental health court program in a ceremony held at the Coffee County Courthouse with Superior Court Judge Dwayne Gillis presiding. A third person, Matthew Cauley, graduated from drug court.
Mental health court began several years ago as an alternative to incarceration. The program is a minimum of 18 months and can last no longer than the sentence of the potential crime for which an offender has been placed in the program. The court is an effort to bring the judiciary and mental health services together to effectively treat individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health illnesses and convicted of crimes. Mental health court’s goal is to promote accountability for people in the program while helping them become successful and productive community members.
Last week’s graduation marks the end of a long but successful journey for Cook and McCrae. Cauley’s successful completion of drug court is a major milestone for him as well.
