Menomonie – Officials of the Dunn County Treatment Court recently reported that 2025 was a successful year in helping individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives through evidence-based treatment and recovery support.
In 2025, the program served 17 participants, celebrated six successful graduations and had five new admissions, said Kayla Johnson, county Treatment Court Coordinator.
“While these numbers are meaningful, they don’t fully capture the lasting impact of Treatment Court,” Johnson said. “Our participants are given the opportunity to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
“Upon graduation, individuals who have successfully completed substance-use treatment are employed, have stable housing and are connected to supportive recovery networks,” she added. “Our hope is that they were provided tools, resources and connections while in the program to use their entire lives.”
In 2025, Johnson added, the court received 20 referrals, including 15 self-referrals, two from defense attorneys, one from the District Attorney’s Office, and two from the state Department of Corrections.
The court administered 1,177 drug screens, with 88 percent testing negative, which Johnson said demonstrated strong participant accountability. All participants engaged in substance-use treatment within the first 30 days and remained active throughout their time in the program.
New peer support services were introduced for treatment court participants in 2025 through Treatment Alternatives and Diversion grant funding, Johnson said.
“Participants have had positive feedback working with those who share similar experiences,” Johnson said of the peer support process. “For some cases, it has been a positive pivotal turning point for the participant and their recovery.”
Johnson said further changes are coming for the program: “In 2025 our Dunn County Treatment Court team worked hard at making changes to our program to best align with the national All Rise Treatment Court Best Practice Standards. We are excited to implement those changes in early 2026.”
The Treatment Court provides an alternative to incarceration for individuals facing felony-level charges who are struggling with substance use disorders. Dunn County Treatment Court was begun in 2008 by two former circuit court judges, and a multidisciplinary team comprised of professionals from a range of agencies work collaboratively to provide comprehensive, wraparound support to participants.
The program typically lasts between 14 and 18 months or longer, depending on individual progress. Participants receive intensive supervision and case management, frequent court appearances ranging from weekly to monthly, random and frequent drug testing, and follow-through on all assessed treatment needs related to substance use and mental health.
More information is available at https://dunncountywi.gov/treatmentcourt.
Source: News Release