"It was a statement, by us, that the human being is worth redeeming. We started
what was known as Diversion and Treatment Court, which eventually became Drug Court."
– Judge Herbert Klein, founder of first drug court in Miami-Dade County
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals released a documentary short about the beginning of the drug court movement, entitled "The Beginning."
As stated in NADCP's announcement, the film "brings to life the incredible story of how an innovation from Miami, Florida sparked a national movement. Today, there are over 2,900 Drug Courts nationwide serving 144,000 people on any given day. But 25 years ago, Drug Court was a target of ridicule within a justice system committed to the status quo. This inspiring film brings together for the first time the earliest pioneers of the Drug Court movement to tell the story of how Drug Court triumphed against all odds.
"NADCP titled the documentary The Beginning because it is just that. The film takes viewers back 25 years to look at the conditions within the justice system that led to widespread frustration, and which opened the door to radical change. Revealing interviews explore how the concept of Drug Court was received by the justice community and the heroics involved with implementing the nation’s first several programs.
"Over the past 25 years, Drug Courts have not only been accepted, they have risen to become an indispensible part of American criminal justice. There is still more story to be told and NADCP is committed to telling it. For now, it is our privilege to offer this film to over 30,000 professionals working in Drug Courts today, and millions more whose lives have been touched by this incredible program"
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