The Yankton County Drug & DUI Court will hold a graduation ceremony on January 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. CST in Courtroom A of the Yankton County Safety Center. The event will recognize participants who have completed all phases of the drug and DUI court program. Friends, family, and members of the public are invited to attend, with a reception scheduled after the ceremony.
Shanna B., a former participant in the program, will be the featured speaker. She entered the court program in 2017 after years of addiction and described it as a turning point that changed her life’s direction. Shanna now works full time at Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health as an addiction counselor trainee while pursuing a degree focused on addiction and prevention with a minor in psychology. She plans to continue her education with a master’s degree.
The press release notes that treatment courts are seen as an effective approach for addressing substance use and mental health disorders by combining supervision, treatment, and support to help individuals achieve stability and recovery while reducing repeat offenses and saving taxpayer funds.
Yankton County Drug & DUI Court operates as an alternative to traditional criminal proceedings for those dealing with alcohol or drug issues. Participation is voluntary but requires motivation for lifestyle change under close supervision.
Additional information about South Dakota’s treatment courts can be found at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts.
For more details about the Yankton County Drug & DUI Court or its upcoming graduation event, Coordinator Sharon Kraft can be contacted at 605-661-6587 or sharon.kraft@ujs.state.sd.us.
