Winona County's first drug court session is being held Tuesday at the County Courthouse.
                
It becomes the third drug court to be operating in the Third Judicial District and will hold session every Tuesday of the month, with the exception of the third week when the session will be held on Thursday.  An open house for the drug court will be held in January.
               
The mission of the Drug Court of Winona County is to enhance public safety and reduce costs to the community by providing resources and structure to offenders so they can become law abiding, sober and stable citizens.
               
The court has four phases and random, observed. and frequent drug testing is central to completing the court requirements.
               
The drug court was developed by the Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and was approved by the Winona County Board earlier this year.