A national drug court association will honor Lackawanna County Court's efforts to stop drug and alcohol addiction in the community and rehabilitate offenders.
On Wednesday, officials with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals will present representatives of the Lackawanna County Treatment Court with a national award in recognition of their contribution to the community.
Of the 2,700 treatment courts in the U.S., fewer than 1 percent receive the honor, according to the organization.
The county's treatment court is overseen by Judge Michael J. Barrasse, who along with Judge Vito P. Geroulo handle the majority of criminal cases on the local court docket.
Realizing the root of many crimes is alcohol and drug addiction, the court uses a medical and psychological approach to try to rehabilitate offenders rather than solely relying on incarceration for punishment.
Comprising judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and clinical professionals, NADCP advocates taking the same approach.
Since April, represetatives of the nonprofit organization have been on a whistle-stop tour, heading to courthouses throughout the U.S. to recognize other successful treatment court programs. Dubbed the "All Rise America" road trip, they have been traveling more than 3,500 miles while visiting 50 treatment courts, DUI courts and veterans treatment courts.
Scranton is the last stop on the tour before a final ceremony in New York City on Friday.
State Attorney General Kathleen Kane will speak at the Scranton rally at the county courthouse at 2:30 p.m.
Contact the writer: smcconnell@timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on Twitter