Kitsap County ADULT DRUG COURT: The Kitsap County Adult Drug Court program started in February 1999. There are approximately 40 participants and 33 graduates. The program recently welcomed its first drug free baby. Kitsap County Adult Drug Court is a treatment based program for adults who are charged with certain felony crimes and facing criminal prosecution. The purpose of the program is to offer non-traditional and individualized treatment for chemical dependency as an alternative to criminal prosecution. The program features a team approach to rigorous treatment, coordinated with intensive supervision, random drug and alcohol testing, regular and frequent court appearances and educational opportunities. A combination of rewards and sanctions are utilized to motivate and encourage participants toward recovery. The participant’s progression through the various phases of the program is appropriately recognized. The Drug Court Program is approximately one year in duration but may be longer depending on the progress of the participant. Drug Court Team: The Prosecutor and Defense Attorney, together with the Drug Court Judge, Drug Court Grant Administrator, Drug Court Compliance Officer, Treatment Provider, Drug Court Manager, Clerk and Court Reporter constitute the Drug Court Team. The Drug Court Team is unique to the courtroom setting. The key is a non-adversarial relationship between members of the team. This approach stems from the supposition that all team members share the common goal of reducing the drug dependence and criminal activities of the participants. Participant Eligibility: The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office decides whether to offer a potential Drug Court adult the opportunity to participate in the program. The Prosecutor’s Office determines if the defendant is charged with an eligible offense and is an appropriate candidate. The Prosecutor’s Office is the sole determiner of participant eligibility and utilizes the following standards in making that determination: Eligible Adults: Consideration for admission to the Drug Court shall be limited to those defendants who have: An eligible felony offense as defined below No conviction history of violent felony offenses No history of sexual offenses No other prior criminal history suggesting the candidate would be
Inappropriate for the Drug Court including prior diversion and probation history, indications of drug dealing, and/or any other relevant factors.
Eligible Offenses: Possession of controlled substance, prescription/legend drug offenses (including
forged prescriptions) Forgery, if drug driven Theft, if drug driven – excluding firearms Drug related felony probation violations
Ineligible Offenses: Manufacture or delivery of controlled substances Burglary (Presumptive exclusion) Firearm violations or firearms present Violent offenses Sexual offenses
Graduation: When a participant has completed all phases of treatment and complied with all court requirements, a graduation hearing is set. Prior to graduation, the Drug Court Team conducts a graduation review panel in which the Team interviews the participant to determine whether or not he/she is ready to graduate. The Team inquires about the participant’s graduation questionnaire and what they’ve learned and experienced from the program and requests feedback from the participant regarding the Drug Court.  | The graduation ceremony is conducted to commemorate the accomplishments of the participants. A special guest is invited to speak, programs are prepared, certificates awarded, family members acknowledged and the participants are given an opportunity to speak. The Prosecutor makes a motion to dismiss the original charges and the Judge signs the Order of Dismissal. |
Kitsap County Drug Court Contact:
Cherie Lusk
Kitsap County Adult Drug Court Manager
614 Division Street/MS:23
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-337-4508
Fax: 360-337-7187
clusk@co.kitsap.wa.us | 
