Three members of the DeKalb County Drug Court joined other Drug Courts from across the nation July 14-24 in Washington DC for the 19th Annual National Drug Court Conference. While in the nation’s Capitol, Judge Bratten Hale Cook II, Drug Court Coordinator Norene Puckett and Case Manager Rachel Garrison went to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators about the benefits of Drug Courts in Tennessee.The purpose of the meetings was to urge members of Congress to support funding for Drug Courts and to advocate for the goal of putting a Drug Court in reach of every person in need.DeKalb County is one of but a handful of certified Drug Courts in the State of Tennessee. The Drug Court, which is led by Judge Bratten Hale Cook II, provides weekly supervision to Drug Court participants while they adhere to intensive evidence-based treatment programs and frequent random drug testing.Drug Courts are a cost effective alternative to incarceration for those individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.