A large contingent of law enforcement officers, districts’ attorneys, lawyers and others from all across the state gathered at the George Evans Reception Hall Thursday to take part in the Dallas County Court Services’ 7th Annual Addiction and the Law training event.

The annual event is approved by the state court system, as well as the Alabama State Bar, as an official training event aimed at information officers and legal professionals on the variety of programs and treatment options available to people struggling with addiction.

“This event makes people aware of the laws and the programs and treatment related to addiction,” said Dallas County Court Services Director Miah Jackson.

Among those at the event was Jason Harris, Director of the Hoover Court Referral Program, who was in attendance for the second time and enthused by the information being disseminated to those in attendance.

Specifically, Harris noted that the event not only educates those in attendance on treatment options, but also the impact that top-notch counseling can have on a recovering addict and the details of Alabama’s Mandatory Treatment Act.

Harris was the first speaker at Thursday’s event and was followed by Bill Lindsey, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor for the Office of Prosecution Services, who has also attended previous training events.

“These events give people the opportunity to network,” Lindsey said. “They see what’s out there and it gives people an opportunity to improve and develop their own programs.”

Lindsey noted that those in attendance were interested more in treating and helping people rather than simply incarcerating them.

The featured speaker for the day was Robert Thornhill, Director of the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program, whose talk focused on the addiction issues faced by lawyers and those working in legal and law enforcement positions.

“From my point of view, being an attorney is one of the most stressful occupations of all,” Thornhill said. “So the topic of wellness is a really important topic.”

Jackson agreed.

“So often, when we think about addiction, we think about people that are coming into the system,” Jackson said. “We don’t often think about court officials and lawyers and people working in the system.”

Thornhill noted his excitement over the number of officers in attendance, noting that his talk would provide them with information and resources that could be helpful in addressing addiction issues they might currently be facing.

Jackson noted that such issues know no social, economic or racial boundaries – those enforcing the laws are just as susceptible to substance abuse issues as those breaking the law.