Pubdate: Thu, 20 Dec 2001
Source: The Herald-Sun (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428

DRUG COURT: STILL, EMPTY SEATS

December 19, 2001   4:01 pm We continue to scratch our heads over a 
paradoxical phenomenon in Durham's judicial system. Court and law 
enforcement officials have for many years stressed the link between illicit 
drug use and crime in Durham. Why, then, do Durham court officials have 
such a difficult time finding participants for drug court - a program that 
imposes strict treatment requirements on low-level offenders?

This promising program has never lived up to its full potential. Because of 
low enrollment, drug court's state funding was reduced during its first 
year of operation. To be fair, the enrollment has improved: Drug court can 
take as many as 30 offenders. It has 21 participants currently.

Now judges will start referring some DWI offenders to drug court. 
First-time offenders and habitual DWI offenders will not be eligible to 
enter the program. Judge Richard G. Chaney offered an example of how drug 
court might be used: A third-time DWI offender might enter the program and, 
upon successful completion, be ensured of only the minimum sentence. 
Failure to complete drug court would lead to a stiffer sentence.

If drug court helps an alcoholic, as opposed to a narcotics user, overcome 
an addiction, then it's taxpayer money well spent. Maybe the addition of 
DWI offenders to the program will spur prosecutors and judges to figure out 
why they can't find enough drug offenders to fill those seats.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart