Sixth Circuit Treatment Court program leaves graduates feeling better about themselves and about living sober

Four more people have successfully completed or nearly completed (May 14, 2025) the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Drug and DUI Treatment Court program.

Graduate Brandon said he struggled to stay sober on his own. So, when a lawyer mentioned the guidance offered through the Treatment Court option, he decided to give it a try.

Graduate Ray was required to take the Drug and DUI Treatment Court program, but said he was open to the idea and now has tools to help him stay sober.

Graduate Sierra admitted that initially, she was not giving the program a real chance to work.

Now, Sierra said, she’s better about honest communication and most importantly, her 7 and 8 year old children are much happier.

Graduate Tyler said he had been off-and-on the path to sobriety for around eight years….but now believes Drug and DUI Treatment Court was the missing piece to help him stick with it.

For anyone struggling with sobriety or wondering if some form of treatment would be beneficial for them, Tyler encourages you to think about this:

According to the state Unified Judicial System, more than 800 clients were served through South Dakota’s 17 drug, DUI, veterans or mental health Problem Solving Courts last year (2024). The intensive, approximately 1.5 year long programs are designed to treat substance abuse and reduce the likelihood that the participant will return to the criminal justice system.

Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts/Default.aspx.