LEWISTON – Judge John Beliveau and the 8th District Court drug team will open the second half of the Great Falls Forum season on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Beliveau spearheaded a unique program, now in its second year, to stop the revolving door of substance abusers who were appearing in his courtroom in child protection cases.

He estimated that 75 percent of the cases he saw involved a parent with alcohol or drug addiction that prevented him or her from nurturing and caring for a child.

Drug team members joining Beliveau at the forum are:

• Kristen McAuley, the project coordinator responsible for overseeing and developing the program here in Maine.

• Lindsay Camire, the case manager associate for the drug court.

• Laurel Samson, who ensures the safety of the children by maintaining contact with them, their caregivers, service providers and parents.

• Paula Jursa, who does clinical assessments on each program participant.

• Paul Rouleau, who offers consultation services on admissions to the program and helps the team understand substance abuse issues and treatment.

All Great Falls Forum programs are now being held at the Marsden Hartley Cultural Center at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St.

Students from the Lewiston Regional Technical Center culinary arts program will make soup for each event, to go along with the lunch. The focus is on healthy, hearty and creating an all-around cultural experience for attendees, said Cultural Center Coordinator Cindy Larock.