Justice Speeches

Thank you, Amy [Klumpp, Felony Drug Court Coordinator] for the kind introduction. And thank you for all you have done to support the drug court here in Mahoning County.

Judges, Attorneys, Sheriff, County Commissioners, and those of you representing service agencies, thank you for welcoming me to congratulate the graduates and to celebrate 25 years of this specialized docket. You are making second chances possible.

The work you graduates have done is the start of all things good in your life.

I hope you feel the support and acceptance of a community of people, many of whom are here this afternoon. They have faith in you, and they have committed to support you. The goal – of course – is long-term recovery and to keep you out of the criminal justice system.

This is the best definition of community – people coming together selflessly, to support one member of the community and by doing so, strengthening the entire community.

There are 263 specialized dockets in Ohio courts today. We are pioneers in specialized dockets compared to other states. And Mahoning County was well ahead of state certification.

Judge “Jack” Durkin’s docket began in the late 90s. He was a leader then and continues to be a leader today. He assists and educates other judges both with specialized dockets and overall.

For those not familiar -- these dockets are dedicated to specific types of offenders -- people who struggle with substance abuse dependency, either drug or alcohol or both and /or mental health issues.

The program holds offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of the criminal behavior. Manage the health issue and there will be fewer bad decisions. We are fighting for law abiding citizens by giving people a second chance.

The Supreme Court began certifying drug courts in 2013. Certification includes a commitment to best practices. At the time, Judge Durkin had the drug court here in Mahoning County for years. While providing leadership and guidance to others in the judiciary, he worked tirelessly for certification of his own court. This is no small task.

Not everyone, including some judges and prosecutors accept drug courts and specialized dockets in general. That was certainly true in those days.

“Jack” Durkin is smart. He knows that jails and prisons – warehousing people – can be extremely expensive to your community.

So, he relies on the best science available to break the cycle.

Judge Durkin is not afraid to put in the work on the front end to save lives and also as a result save all taxpayers money. He has compassion and good sense.

When people wind up in the courtroom, they are at their lowest moment. They are most in need of respect, humanity, and compassion.

His compassion, his care for the safety of the community, and his understanding of the health issues involved -- Jack Durkin has not been afraid to look for a better solution to problems.

Judge Durkin has been a part of RJOI – the Regional Joint Opioid Initiative – that I started with surrounding states. The drug problem does not stop at invisible state borders, as you well know.

Through RJOI, judges learn about opioid use disorder and medications for treatment of opioid use disorder. They stay informed and up-to-date on the science of drug addiction and recovery.

With the support of the National Center for State Courts, Judge Durkin led the judicial Project ECHO – which stands for -- Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes. Project ECHO is successful in delivering medical-based training in a manner that increases capacity.

In Ohio, Project ECHO is taught at the Judicial College and Judge Durkin is teaching with a medical doctor.  We are encouraging new judges to take this invaluable course on substance abuse and recovery.

Judge Durkin is a frequent presenter for the Judicial college. He brought his experience and served as an active board member for six years – a portion of that on the executive committee.  And he teaches nationally, as well.

Specialty Courts work because you learn from medical science and the treatment community to solve problems in different ways. Evidenced based practices are the tools and data the proof that we can heal…maybe not everyone every time…but we heal where we can. And there is a lot of healing in this community.

I don’t have numbers since the beginning of the Mahoning County Felony Drug Court. Since July of 2019, when the Supreme Court began collection statistics, 67 percent of the people graduate.

These graduates received treatment for their substance use disorder and have the support to lead a better life.

When it comes to a successful program, the judge would be the first to tell you that he did not do it alone.

It takes an entire court staff committed to these specialized dockets.

It takes community services coming together and partnering with the court. A support team takes a lot of coordination – people like Amy – to make it happen.

Yes, there are lots of heroes here this afternoon. And I don’t use that word lightly.

Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism.

I know you are on a journey that continues even after today’s milestone. But I have one more thing to ask. Be ambassadors for these unique courts. Work together to make sure that everyone is more informed and aware of substance use disorders and optimal treatment approaches.

Let people in the community know about this court’s success.

Who knows better than you how recovery works?

And how the intricacies of daily life can work for or against a plan of recovery?

Once again, Judge Durkin, court staff, partners, mentors, and graduates. Thank you for your service to Ohio and your service to each other.

I have a certificate to present to Judge Durkin to mark this milestone. Twenty-five years of specialty docket is a milestone for us as well.

Congratulations and May God Bless You All.