ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) is announcing the inaugural All Rise America! National Motorcycle Relay for Recovery, a first of its kind cross-country motorcycle relay celebrating National Drug Court Month and the inspiring stories of transformation brought to bear every day in America's Drug Courts, May 1 – May 24.

All Rise America! is traveling through 10 states beginning in Santa Ana, CA and concludes in Washington, DC. During All Rise America!, Drug Court graduates, Drug Court professionals, veterans, and other concerned citizens carry the All Rise Gavel over 3,000 miles, stopping at 24 National Drug Court Month events to honor individuals who have overcome their addictions and the people that make it possible. At each stop, the gavel is passed to a new group of riders as a symbol of the collective impact of Drug Courts and a reminder that when one person rises out of addiction and finds recovery, we All Rise.

Currently there are over 2,600 Drug Courts in the United States. Drug Courts combine rigorous drug treatment and accountability to compel and support drug-using offenders to change their lives. Over 75 percent of people who complete Drug Court are never arrested again. Drug Courts save up $13,000 for every individual they serve. "Drug Courts refer more people to treatment than any other system in America, annually leading over 80,000 individuals to a life of abstinence and long-term recovery," said NADCP CEO West Huddleston. "Each of them is a reminder that we all deserve freedom from addiction. Drug Courts demonstrate that we can reduce substance abuse, crime, and save money, by offering treatment instead of incarceration for those suffering with addiction. The All Rise America! National Motorcycle Relay for Recovery honors the millions of individuals whose lives have been transformed in Drug Court and exposes America that Drug Courts are a proven budget solution."

National Relay Highlights:
May 1:  Santa Ana, CA – Kick off graduation ceremony at Orange County Combat Veterans Court.
May 1: Los Angeles, CA – Gavel hand-off ceremony featuring Drug Court participants, celebrities, and national Drug Court leaders.
May 15: Somerset, KY – Stop in Somerset, KY at Drug Court graduation featuring House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY).
May 24: Washington, DC – Final graduation at Washington, DC Adult Drug Court.

Media is invited to attend all 24 events and is encouraged to speak with Drug Court staff, participants, graduates and national leaders. To learn more and view all Relay events, visit www.nadcp.org/Relay-for-Recovery-Media.

Contact:
Chris Deutsch, NADCP
202.222.8105, cdeutsch@nadcp.org

Allison Kaminsky Putala, KPPR
202.421.3211, allison@kaminskyputala.com

SOURCE The National Association of Drug Court Professionals