Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 Source: Advocate, The (LA) Copyright: 2002 The Advocate, Capital City Press Contact: http://www.theadvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) JUDGE TO BE HONORED FOR DRUG COURT LAFAYETTE -- The Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals will honor Jules Edwards, chief judge of the 15th Judicial District, on Thursday for his work in the district's drug court. The ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom 4C of the Lafayette Parish Courthouse. Edwards presides over a therapeutic drug court that rewards and punishes drug offenders for their behavior. He also developed an expedited case management system that brings prosecutors and offenders to regular meetings with the judge to discuss the cases. Offenders who want substance-abuse treatment are considered for the Focused Intervention through Sanctions and Treatment. For two years, the FIST program has provided drug testing, substance-abuse education, therapy and support group meetings, referrals for assistance with housing, subsistence, education and health-care services, and weekly status conferences with the judge. Defendants who plead guilty but deny an addiction are enrolled in the Recovery Plus Program, which includes regular drug testing, education classes and monthly meetings with the judge. A defendant completes the program after a year of sobriety. Edwards started the program in January 2000 with the other 12 judges in the district. Recovery Plus defendants who test positive for drugs face possible jail time in addition to substance-abuse treatment by Goodwill Industries of Acadiana. The 15th Judicial District, which includes Lafayette, Acadia and Vermilion parishes, started its drug court in 1998 with grants from the U.S. Department of Justice and the state Department of Health and Human Services. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake