Will County Drug Court will graduate 300th person to kick addiction and begin leading drug-free life

March 25

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that the Will County Drug Court will graduate the 300th person to successfully complete the program and begin leading a drug-free life.

Danielle Heino, of Wilmington, will be one of 14 participants who will graduate from the program during a ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. The public is invited to attend the event.

Heino, who is a recovering heroin addict, officially has been designated the Drug Court’s 300th graduate. She will speak at the ceremony about her personal experiences working through Drug Court program as well as how she has moved on with her life. Heino also has made frank presentations to teenagers and adults at various community forums where she talked about how her heroin addiction nearly destroyed her life.

Other Drug Court participants who will graduate next week are from Joliet, Homer Glen, Crete, Berwyn, Bolingbrook, Wilmington, Channahon, Crest Hill and Plainfield.

In Drug Court, prosecutors and defense attorneys work with the judge and treatment providers to help abusers who have committed non-violent offenses battle their addictions and reclaim control of their lives. Those allowed into the intensive program are carefully screened and must remain drug free, submit to random drug tests, find employment, follow through with treatment and attend weekly Drug Court sessions.

State’s Attorney Glasgow spearheaded the creation of the program in the late 1990s. Circuit Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes presides over Drug Court.

“Drug Court has enabled graduates like Danielle Heino kick their addictions and return to their communities as productive citizens,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “Danielle has spoken honestly and eloquently over the past year about her devastating struggle with heroin addiction. Her presentation during next week’s graduation ceremony will provide important life lessons to anyone who is listening. I join Judge Policandriotes and the entire Drug Court team in wishing Danielle and every graduate all the best that their new lives have to offer.”

For information on Drug Court, visit www.willcountysao.com and click on Special Courts.