Drugs in America Today: What Every Judge Needs to Know

Why should I take this course?

Drug abuse is an ever-present issue that will appear with increasing frequency in cases around the country. The use of drugs not only affects the user on a personal level, but also has a profound negative effect on those who are close to, and interact with the user. Moreover, drugs of choice change and evolve in communities over time. No matter the type of case, they all have the potential to involve a participant who may suffer from a drug abuse problem.

It is important for judges today to recognize and understand the drug issues that plague many Americans today, and find ways to effectively deal with the issue to reduce recidivism. This course provides an in-depth analysis on the science behind drug addiction, and offers practical solutions on how judges can effectively manage these types of cases.

Who should attend?

This course has been specifically designed to be appropriate for any judge on the bench, as drug abuse issues can appear in any type of case.

Who are the members of the faculty?

Hon. Peggy D. Davis

Judge Peggy D. Davis is the Drug Court Commissioner for Greene County, Missouri. She assumed this position in August 2000. She has served as a Public Defender for the State of Missouri, an Assistant Prosecutor for Greene County and as an Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Springfield. She also practiced general civil law with Woolsey Fisher Whitaker and McDonald in Springfield. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1985. In 1988, she received her Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law. She joined The National Judicial College faculty in 2015.

Carl M. Dawson

Mr. Carl M. Dawson is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Missouri. He has actively been working and lecturing in the field of Substance Use Disorders, Treatment and Recovery for the past 36 years. Mr. Dawson holds a Master of Science degree in Community Mental Health “Clinical” Psychology, from Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kansas. Mr. Dawson is a National Board Certified Counselor and a National Board Certified Master Addiction Counselor, which was granted by the National Board for Certified Counselors. He also holds a Level II Substance Abuse Counselor Certification, and is certified as a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board. He has maintained an independent practice in professional mental health counseling, specializing in Substance Use Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Employee Assistance Programs, and Marriage and Family counseling, for over 25 years. Mr. Dawson is a member of the clinical faculty in the Departments of Psychology (undergraduate college), and the School of Mental Health Counseling (graduate college), Missouri State University (MSU), Springfield, Missouri. He is a consultant and lecturer for the State of Missouri/Greene County Drug Court Association and The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. He is also an educational consultant and faculty member of the National Drug Court Institute in Washington D.C. Mr. Dawson serves as a clinical consultant to regionally and nationally-based employee assistance programs, and is the national substance abuse consultant for O’Reilly Automotive, Ozark Distributors, Springfield, Missouri. He is also currently a member and associate member of the American Counselor’s Association. Mr. Dawson joined The National Judicial College faculty in 2015.

How is this course taught?

This course is taught through lecture, audio-visual aids, question and answer, class problems and simulations, and group learning. The course has a specific scientific information aim to aid the participant in really understanding the science behind drug addiction.

Whom should I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (800) 255-8343 or registrar@judges.org.