Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jun 2002
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2002 Johnson City Press and Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Jim Wozniak
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

DRUG COURT GETS INFLUX OF FUNDS

Local officials on Thursday received a $499,245 grant from the federal 
government for the drug court that has operated in Unicoi and Washington 
counties for the last eight months.

Washington County Sessions Judge John Kiener said the money will enable the 
program to expand to more difficult cases that might involve entry into a 
drug-treatment program. So far, he said, the court has addressed some of 
the less troublesome drug cases and has been seeking help on treatment 
programs.

"I'm thrilled to get that news," Kiener said. "We've certainly had some . . 
. failures, but there's been enough positive results (that) it's a program 
worth expanding to try to save some young people early on."

Erwin Mayor Russell Brackins, whose town applied for the grant, said he, 
too, was pleased with the award.

"I think it's a great opportunity to do some good," he said.

Drug court, which addresses only misdemeanor cases, convenes on Tuesdays in 
Washington County Sessions Court and Thursdays in Unicoi County Sessions 
Court. Local officials had hoped to have the grant, which will be spread 
over three years, at the court's inception. But Kiener said they were told 
the federal government wanted them to try it on their own first.

The court targets an addicted defendant with the aim of getting him off 
drugs and on the path of following the law. It also allows defendants who 
successfully complete the program to avoid jail.

As a trade-off for staying out of jail, a defendant has to undergo regular 
drug tests, attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings and 
find someone in those programs to help him between meetings. He also has to 
meet weekly with the judge and meet with probation officers.

Before the defendant appears in court, the judge talks with the probation 
staff to get feedback on how the person is doing and what recommendations 
they have. If a defendant has misbehaved, it might mean some jail time.

"The program is very intensive," Kiener said. "There's a lot of 
encouragement to be on the job or at school."

Brackins said participants stay in the program for at least a year.

Referrals tend to come from defense lawyers or probation officers. A 
committee picks the defendants who are permitted in the program. The only 
way someone will not get into the program is if he is charged with a 
violent offense.

The drug court in Washington County has had up to 25 defendants, and about 
75 percent of them are succeeding, Kiener said. Brackins said the two 
people who have been admitted to the program in Unicoi County have done well.

"We've been willing to take people in very bad shape," Kiener said. "So 
degree of addiction has not stopped anyone from going into the program." 
Vanessa Scott, who spearheads the project for Comprehensive Community 
Services, said in 2001 that the grant can be used for treatment or 
counseling services for defendants, drug screens and hiring probation officers.
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