Drug Court | CCCCP

The goal of the drug court program is to break the cycle of recidivism by addressing an offender’s drug dependency.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court began building its Drug Court program in 2008 with the appointment of Judge David T. Matia to the docket. Drug Court adheres to science-based principals, only accepting those who are assessed as drug dependent. Drug Court has graduated hundreds of individuals, returning them to their communities as sober citizens.

Judge Matia’s current docket focuses on clients who would benefit from medically assisted treatment. Additionally, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court has a standard Drug Court docket.

Drug Court accepts more challenging offenders, such as those with repeat criminal histories or opiate dependencies.

Judge David T. Matia

Courtroom: 17-D

Judge Kelly A. Gallagher

Courtroom: 21-C

What is Drug Court?

Drug Court's mission is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related criminal activity.

"Drug courts promote recovery through a coordinated response to offenders dependent on alcohol and other drugs. Realization of these goals requires a team approach, including cooperation and collaboration of the judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, probation authorities, other corrections personnel, law enforcement, pretrial services agencies, TASC (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) programs, evaluators, an array of local service providers, and the greater community.”

- The National Drug Court Model