Hon. Brian D. Burns
History of the Otsego County Criminal Drug Treatment Court (CDTC)
The Otsego County Criminal Drug Treatment Court commenced operations in 1999 with Judge Michael V. Coccoma presiding. The Otsego County Criminal Drug Treatment Court is a collaborative effort of legal, medical, educational, and social service professionals who provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitative services for nonviolent, alcohol and drug abusing offenders. We provide intensive supervision, drug testing, and monitoring to achieve treatment outcomes and promote public safety. We believe that addiction is a disease process that can be treatment through individualized approaches that will reduce criminal behavior.
Assessment and Program Entry
- If deemed necessary, an observed urine drug screen/breathalyzer
- A comprehensive psycho-social interview. The information from this interview, along with urine drug screen results and the treatment plan from Otsego County Addiction Recovery Services, will be used to determine services and treatment needs, and develop a treatment plan that will be presented to the Judge, treatment team, and your attorney.
- Once it has been determined that you are both legally eligible and suitable for the program, you will sign a contract before the Judge, with counsel from your attorney, and formally enter the program.
- Thereafter, you will be required to report to County Court on a bi-weekly basis and you will have an opportunity to speak with the Judge. Your status will be assessment based upon your participation in required programs and completion of other program requirements.
Program Phases
Phase I – Moving past denial, the participant is motivated to overcome his or her addiction and begins taking small steps such as exploring the concepts of moderation and abstinence. Some say this exploratory stage is when recovery really begins.
Phase II – This is a time of both great significance and great risk. On the positive side, people suffering from addiction in early recovery have not only stopped using the substance(s) to which they were addicted, but they have also begun learning how to remain drug-free for the long-term. Early recovery can also be a time of great vulnerability as major life changes are being made.
Phase III – Much progress has been made to reach this phase. Participants have learned that they will need to continue to work hard for the rest of their lives to guard against relapse. Participants have also learned that recovery is about much more than overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol. It is a complete transformation of mind, body, and spirit.