(Prosecutors Response to Offenders Using Drugs)

This program was started in February 1992 and District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick’s office became the second District Attorney’s Office in New York State to start a program for non-violent felons with an identifiable drug addiction. The defendant has to agree to enter a drug rehabilitation program and once completed, the original charges will be dismissed. In addition to rehabilitation, the defendant will have the option of pursuing a high school equivalency degree or receive job training.

Currently, it is still the only one of its kind in Upstate New York. Since its inception in 1992, 342 cases have been reviewed and 188 individuals have been enrolled, 96 of which have successfully finished the program to date. The recidivism rate is only 39.6 %.