Back to top

Drug Treatment Court

Cobb County Drug Treatment Court is an evidence-based, state certified accountability court providing individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system. Drug Treatment Court focuses on improving the health of our participants, not only by addressing the immediate symptoms of their substance use disorder, but also by orienting participants to a new way of healthier living for the rest of their life.

Drug Treatment Court is an 18 to 24-month substance use disorder treatment program for high-risk, high-need participants facing felony charges in Cobb County Superior Court. 

Our mission is to enhance public safety by targeting certain high-risk, high need offenders for placement in an intensive program of treatment, judicial supervision, and individual accountability. 

Our goal is to reduce participant recidivism and enable participants to contribute to and function within our community.     

Judge Kimberly A. Childs presides over the Drug Treatment Court in Cobb Superior Court.

ADMISSION

Benefits of Drug Treatment Court
Less jail time
Potential to have charges reduced or expunged
Immediate access to affordable, evidence-based treatment
Receive assistance with housing, employment, transportation, mental health treatment and a variety of other services
Strengthen family relationships and restore family unit

 

Legal Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Be 17 years of age or older Certain legal factors will necessarily exclude one from being eligible for the Drug Treatment Court Program. These factors include:
Legal U.S. Resident Sex Offenders (Actively on Sex Offender Registry)
Stable, sober residence in Cobb County Current charge is a "serious violent felony" as listed in O.C.G.A. 17-10-6.1 OR a "sexual offense" as listed in O.C.G.A. 17-10-6.2
Be approved by the presiding Drug Treatment Court Judge after consultation with the Drug Treatment Court Team Certain legal factors may exclude one from being eligible for the Drug Treatment Court Program. These factors include:
Voluntarily agree to participate in Drug Treatment Court Conviction of any violent offense or pending charge involving violence
  Felony firearm charges
  Current or prior gang affiliation
  Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI)
  Severe developmental deficiency
  Unstable medical condition
  Conviction of possession with intent to distribute or pending charge of possession with intent to distribute
  Pending charges in another state

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Drug Treatment Court consists of 5 program phases, each with varying degrees of treatment, supervision, and drug screening. All participants will be expected to be randomly drug screened at least 1-2 times per week.

The program is a minimum of 18 months and maintains the following time frame for phases:

    Phase 1 -  Minimum of 12 weeks

    Phase 2 -  Minimum of 12 weeks

    Phase 3  -  Minimum of 20 weeks

    Phase 4 -  Minimum of 12 weeks

    Phase 5 -   Minimum of 22 weeks

Drug Treatment Court convenes at 10:00 am every Wednesday.


Phase Court Schedule

Phase 1 Weekly
Phase 2 Weekly
Phase 3 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
Phase 4 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
Phase 5 1st Wednesday of the month

Program Fees

Participants in Drug Treatment Court are required to contribute financially to their recovery.

Current Drug Treatment Court fees are as follows:

First 90 days in DTC No Fees
After 90 days in DTC $30.00 per week

HOW TO APPLY TO DRUG TREATMENT COURT

If you believe you or someone you know could benefit from the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court, please select the appropriate referral form from below.  We frequently receive referrals from criminal defense attorneys, individuals interested in participating in the program, law enforcement, and probation officers.

Please send all referrals to DTC Coordinator, Porsha Middlebrook by mail, email or physical drop off at: 32 Waddell Street, Marietta, GA 30090 (Basement under Probate Ct) -OR- Porsha.middlebrook@cobbcounty.org

Once the referral is received by the Coordinator, it will be processed and screened for eligibility.  The screening process can take anywhere from several days to weeks, depending on the circumstances of each individual case.  To check on the status of a referral, please contact the Coordinator at (770) 528-1933.

CONTACT US

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Drug Treatment Court office.

Porsha Middlebrook, Program Coordinator
(770) 528-1933
(770) 528-8588 (Fax)

Porsha.Middlebrook@CobbCounty,org

Media Coverage