News Item
Judge Robert Rancourt Inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame

Posted: Tuesday, August 13, 2013

This July, Chisago County, Minnesota Judge Robert Rancourt was inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame during a special ceremony to close the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) 19th Annual Drug Court Training Conference in Washington, DC. The honor comes as Judge Rancourt completes his two year tenure as Chairman of the NADCP Board of Directors.

The Stanley Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon people who work in the Drug Court. “The Drug Court field will remain forever grateful to Judge Rancourt for his tireless efforts on their behalf. He has left an indelible mark on this organization, and has saved countless lives through his unyielding commitment to expanding Drug Courts to all in need,” Judge Chuck Simmons told a crowd of over 4,000 Drug Court professionals during the induction. Judge Rancourt has been a Drug Court pioneer for over ten years, first implementing a Juvenile Drug Court and serving on several task forces aimed at promoting drug treatment for addicted offenders. During his tenure as Chairman of the NADCP Board of Directors, Judge Rancourt traveled the country to support Drug Courts on behalf of NADCP, has helped drive the expansion of Drug Courts abroad. He was the first to bring the message of Drug Courts to Italy, where he addressed heads of the national drug control agencies of over 40 countries and held a key meeting with the president of the International Narcotics Control Board in Rome. Earlier this year he led a delegation from NADCP to participate in the 56th session of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria, where Drug Courts were front and center for the international community.

Under his leadership, NADCP has undertaken groundbreaking initiatives such as the development of the first-ever Drug Court standards, and the launching of the first-ever Veterans Treatment Court conference coming up in December. Judge Rancourt has been an instrumental voice on Capitol Hill, fostering relationships with dozens of Members of Congress from Minnesota and around the country, and helping Drug Courts maintains historic funding levels during these trying economic times.

“As a judge when I see children separated from their mothers and fathers I know we can do better. When I see our veterans coming home physically and emotion ally broke and getting involved in the criminal justice system due to substance abuse and mental health issues I know we can do better,” said Judge Rancourt as he accepted the induction. “Ladies and gentleman we have to be a voice for the voiceless. We will not stop until we have Drug Court within reach of everyone who needs it in this country.” 

Before leaving the stage he added one more thought. “You people in the audience are my heroes,” he said. “The actions of NADCP and your actions, are writing the history of the next generation and I thank you all by the bottom of my heart.”