Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jun 2002
Source: Grand Island Independent (NE)
Copyright: 2002 Grand Island Independent
Contact:  http://www.theindependent.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1023

DRUG COURT GRANT BRINGS HOPE, PROMISE

Even a quick perusal of the Day's Record readily reveals how frequent and 
common possession of methamphetamine is in the Heartland. And for each one 
named and charged, there stands an array of family, friends, employers, 
employees, co-workers and acquaintances whose lives have also been impacted 
to one degree or another. Eventually, either monetarily or emotionally, we 
all suffer the effects of meth and other treacherous drugs.

Many of us despair of finding any resolutions beyond arrests and jail time. 
Yet for the professionals who help drug offenders battling for their very 
souls, jail is not always the best solution -- especially for non-violent 
drug offenders.

That's why we applaud the $499,500 grant the Justice Department recently 
awarded to the Central Nebraska Drug Court.

Designated for the residents of Hall, Adams, Buffalo, and Phelps counties, 
the grant will enable the Drug Court to serve 220 clients in 18-month 
programs over the next three years. The money assures that professionals 
can offer offenders supervised treatment, mandatory drug testing and 
rehabilitative services.

Such a sizable grant brings hope and promise to the Heartland. First, it 
concretely affirms both the concept and the intent of Drug Court. It tells 
those who have worked hard to make Drug Court a reality that both the 
process and the people matter.

Second, by contributing to the continuation of Drug Court, the grant gives 
judges a viable alternative to jail sentences. They can see to it that drug 
offenders face consequences for their behavior and that they acquire the 
help they need -- all without further burdening already crowded jails.

Finally, the grant permits professionals to design and implement long- term 
care programs to assess, treat, and monitor drug offenders. Because of the 
pervasive and insidious nature of drug abuse, sustaining long-term care is 
essential to those who are fighting addiction.

While the Justice Department's grant reminds us that it is not a perfect 
world, it also reminds us that options exist and then empowers us to access 
those options. Thanks to this grant, the Drug Court remains a sign of hope 
for all of us.
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MAP posted-by: Beth