Section TCT.06.01 — Purpose and Authority

(a) Purpose.

(1) The Stockbridge-Munsee Community recognizes the negative impacts that substance abuse and addiction issues have on the community and wishes to provide additional ways to help individuals with these issues find a path back to being a healthy and productive member of the community.

(2) SHAAXKOOXWEEWAAKAN, or healing path, is a Healing to Wellness Court intended for the diversion of nonviolent legal offenders with substance abuse and addiction issues away from the regular court system and toward a more holistic, healing approach that involves a treatment-oriented perspective.

(3) The Healing to Wellness Court can promote public safety by offering a rehabilitative alternative to reduce patterns of recidivism among vulnerable members of our community.

(4) The Healing to Wellness Court emphasizes wellness, accountability, personal responsibility, and cultural connectiveness as sober and productive community members.

(5) The Healing to Wellness Court promotes life-long substance abuse recovery and the reintegration of Tribal members into the community.

(b) Authority. This ordinance is authorized under Article VII, Section 1 (f) of the Stockbridge-Munsee Constitution, which provides for the promulgation and enforcement of ordinances.