Bates speaks to Minooka Lions

MINOOKA — Grundy County State’s Attorney John Bates was the guest speaker for the Minooka Lions Club meeting on Jan. 9. The topic of discussion was the Grundy County Drug Court.

The Grundy County Drug Court began in 2007 and integrates drug treatment services with the traditional judicial system for case processing. It uses a non-adversarial approach between the prosecution and the defense to promote public safety and to facilitate treatment for addicts and abusers.

Participants must be nonviolent offenders, at least 17 years of age, members of the Grundy County community, in need of treatment for drug addiction or abuse, willing to participate and cannot have pending holds or warrants in other jurisdictions.

According to State’s Attorney Bates, “it was great to see such a large crowd in attendance for such a worthwhile organization. The Grundy County Drug Court needs organizations like the Minooka Lions Club in order to facilitate acceptance for the concept of the program and to promote gainful employment and public service work opportunities for the participants.”