Alfred Bergman and SLS Health Volunteer Services for Putnam County Treatment Court Team
(1888PressRelease) SLS RES is a nationally recognized, private, CARF Accredited program located in Brewster, New York. The residential and clinic facilities at SLS Health, now SLS RES offer transitional living programs that are comfortable, warm and welcoming. (1888PressRelease) Brewster, NY Alfred Bergman, cofounder and director for SLS Health, is proud to be a part of the Putnam County Treatment Court Team. Recently, the work of these outstanding volunteers including SLS Health was addressed in a letter from a member of the Treatment Court Team in light of one particular success story. The letter from Robert DeLetis, a Treatment Court Team member, highlighting a success story of a 35 year old woman who was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility, is below. After being allowed the opportunity to attend SLS Health, cofounded by Alfred Bergman to receive treatment, she was able to become sober and has remained that way for over 9 months. Drug treatment courts are specialized community courts designed to help stop people in the community from continuing to abuse drugs, alcohol, and continue with selfdestructive behaviors or related criminal activity. Non violent offenders who have been charged with simple possession of drugs are given the option to receive treatment instead of a jail sentence. Along with the judge, who oversees each case, the Putnam County Treatment Team consists of volunteers from all areas agencies. These include treatment facilities (SLS Health, Putnam Family, Search for Change and Arms Acres) along with assigned people from the DA's office, Legal Aid, Probation Department as well as representatives from Putnam County Correctional Facility. From the onset the judge and team traces progressions and lapses through random drug testing, probation visits, weekly monitoring attendance to treatment sessions and selfreport. An import aspect of the court is accountability. The rules are clearly defined and each participant chooses his or her own path to recovery. If a participant fails to meet the minimum requirements set forth by the court, immediate and graduated sanctions are imposed. The judge reviews with the team, all of the participants situations and rules accordingly. For example, a participant who fails a drug test might be assigned an essay; complete community services or even spend time in the correctional facility. For determined individuals, complement of the program might bring about dismissal of charges, a reduced sentence, a lessor penalty, or a combination of these. I bring this to your attention because for the past five years, I have had the honor of serving on Putnam County Treatment Court Team, headed by Judge James Reitz. Over this time I have had the privilege of seeing this court in action as well as representing SLS Health. This team is amazing in all that they do, knowledge they possess, and compassion that they have to better people's lives. We all volunteer our time, energy, and ideas to help better the participants in this area to get sober, remain sober and live healthy and productive lives. Being part of this court has truly changed the way that I see my life, opened my eyes to other ways to work with