The Stark County Court of Common Pleas’ CHANCE Program gives individuals a chance to address substance use through intensive treatment and potentially have felony charges dropped. Those who have eligible nonviolent felony drug and alcohol related cases and are willing to participate can go through this specialized drug court program.
The CHANCE Program’s comprehensive 12-month, three-phase approach helps participants become responsible, contributing members of the community. They receive individualized treatment and monitoring through regular court appearances before the CHANCE Program Magistrate, random drug testing, curfews, group counseling, probation officer meetings and 12-step meetings. Based on their risks and needs, they can also receive or participate in services such as community service work, anger management counseling and GED classes. While in the program, participants must live free of crime, drugs and alcohol.
Once someone has successfully completed the CHANCE Program, any felony charges related to their admittance into the program are dismissed. However, any charges for operating a motor vehicle under the influence will not be dropped.
The CHANCE Program was developed by a variety of organizations in 1997: Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, Stark County Public Defender’s Office, Stark County Day Reporting Program, Pre-Trial Services Program, Intensive Supervision Probation Program (ISP), local law enforcement agencies and local treatment providers. Since then, the program has helped people get the treatment they need to address their substance use.
If you’d like to learn more about alcohol and drug prevention, StarkHelpCentral.com has a variety of resources for Stark County residents.
