Learning in Retirement: Liesl Wingert Presents – Drug Court: An Incredible Life Change
Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/20/2026
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Categories
Liesl Wingert Presents – Drug Court: An Incredible Life Change
Liesl Wingert, a Program Coordinator for the SIU School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, will be the speaker for the May 20 meeting of Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement. Drug courts offer an alternative to probation or incarceration for high-risk, high-need defendants, offering intensive, individualized treatment and court supervision. Participants usually spend 1-2 years in these programs which have been proven highly effective. Nationally, drug court graduates have a 10-15% recidivism rate, compared to 66% for individuals on traditional probation or in prison. Ms. Wingert will discuss what a drug court is, how it works, and how it is funded. In addition, “real life stories” will be shared throughout the program to illustrate the struggles and triumphs participants regularly experience during their climb out of active addiction.
Ms. Wingert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a Master’s in Health Administration. She is a Certified Drug Endangered Children’s Trainer with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, and the Co-Chair for the Illinois Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. She also serves as a board member for Take Action Today and the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts.
The presentation, free and open to the public, will begin at 10:30 am at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua, Carbondale. A coffee and social hour begins at 9:30 am. For more information, you may refer to the website: https://conferenceservices.siu.edu/silir or call SIU Events and Outreach at 618-536-7751.