Summer 2016 marked the 6th year that members of Region III proudly hosted a picnic for participants in the Bismarck-Mandan Adult Drug Court program. The picnic at Sertoma Park served over 60 people. The drug court participants, their families, as well as the judges, counselors, and probation staff who run the program attended. It was a great turnout and we were so happy to see all the smiles and full bellies.
Again, the Super Slide Amusement Park donated arm bracelets to the families. After enjoying a meal of chicken, pulled pork, hot dogs, potatoes, beans, salads, and desserts, the families could then ride the rides or play miniature golf, free, for an hour. The weather was beautiful, so that helped to round out a fun evening.
You know what you have done is worthwhile when one of the participants makes a point to say, “thank you” for providing a place for her to reunite with her family. She said she needed to mend relationships in her life and the picnic provided a positive venue for her to start doing that. Giving the families a chance to spend time together for a couple of hours was a blessing!
Candy Schafer gave an inspirational welcome speech. She talked about the power of the group. The Drug Court participants form a group that encourages, supports, and lifts one another in a way that only they can truly understand. WDALA is a group that provides networking, educational events, and tries to give back to the community. When you put the two groups together, you create an even more powerful group working towards integrating healthy and productive members of society back into
BY LAURIE GUENTHER, ACP &
MELISSA KLIMPEL, ACP
Drug Court Picnic