A recent review of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s treatment courts program shows good results for the participants.
State Supreme Court Justice Janine Kern– who retired this week (Dec. 8, 2025)— talked about some of the program’s success during the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Drug and DUI Treatment Court program graduation last month (Nov. 12, 2025). She said since the program began, it’s grown into 17 treatment courts across the state.
Kern said treatment court has helped break the cycle of addiction and incarceration for thousands of participants since the program began.
The state Unified Judicial System says treatment courts are one of the most effective interventions for helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders transition from the criminal justice system into lives of recovery, stability and contribution. Kern listed some of the contributions of the four most recent graduates of the Sixth Circuit Drug and DUI Treatment Court Program.
Kern spent 40 years in the legal system as both a lawyer and a judge and has dealt with thousands of people coping with addiction and/or substance abuse situations. She said having a dependable support network is crucial for treatment court graduates’ success in maintaining sobriety.
On average, treatment court participants receive between 200 to 300 hours of group and individual counseling, community supervision, weekly court sessions and drug testing during their 18 to 24 months in the program.
Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts.
Governor Larry Rhoden appointed Judge Robert Gusinsky to replace Kern as the representative for the First Supreme District on the state Supreme Court.
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