April 4, 2025 3:20 a.m.

H.O.P.E. Drug Court will have its 109th graduation on May 13th at 5;15 p.m.

A Douglas County Circuit Court release said H.O.P.E. Drug Court significantly reduces criminal recidivism and substance use, improves psychosocial functioning of the persons involved, and produces positive cash benefits for taxpayers. The program promotes life changes and helps participants acquire better insight on how to achieve acceptance while providing necessary tools to build a support network, attend therapy sessions, develop coping mechanisms, re-establish family connections if applicable and more.

The specialized team approach within the Douglas County Court structure is resource-intensive and designed to look beyond the criminal act to consider the larger context of their life and future. The Honorable Judge Robert B. Johnson shares many insights to help participants in their recovery journey during court appearances. One recent statement was, “You need to identify the objective truth because intentionality matters. You are not perfect, but you are not your mistakes.”

Since the beginning of Drug Court in 1996, there have been 647 graduates. In 2024, the program saved the state over $4.5 million by having a local option for deterrence from prison. Graduation projects will be displayed in the lobby and will be discussed by graduates during the ceremony.

For this graduation, community projects benefited the Douglas County Jail, Family Development Center Relief Nursery, Oxford House, Peace at Home/FARA, Roseburg Dream Center and Safe Haven Maternity Home.

To learn more about the H.O.P.E. Drug Court program, go to: https://www.douglascountyor.gov/851/HOPE-Drug-Court