Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 Source: Advocate, The (LA) Copyright: 2002 The Advocate, Capital City Press Contact: http://www.theadvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2 Author: Acadiana bureau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) JUDGE HONORED FOR DRUG COURT WORK Acadiana bureau NEW IBERIA -- Judge Gerard Wattigny of the 16th Judicial District will be honored today for his work to establish a drug court in Iberia Parish. Wattigny will be receiving the Leadership Award from the Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Congress. Judge William Hunter will present the award at 4:30 p.m. at the Iberia Parish Courthouse. Wattigny, a district judge since his election in October 1995, started the first adult therapeutic drug court in Iberia Parish in April 1998 with a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The program assists nonviolent, first and second offenders who are breaking the law because of a substance abuse problem. The yearlong program involves regular drug testing, close supervision, substance abuse treatment and a system of sanctions and incentives. To complete the program, a defendant is required to obtain a high school diploma or a General Educational Development certificate, have a job and a stable residence, pay all fines and fees, and stay sober. The Iberia Parish program claims to have a recidivism rate of 1 percent for the 70 percent of the participants who successfully complete the program. Wattigny also helped establish the first juvenile drug court in Iberia Parish two years ago. It helps juveniles from ages 13 to 17 years who are nonviolent offenders with existing substance abuse problems, using a combination of drug screening, group counseling for juveniles and parents, weekly home visits and a system of sanctions and incentives. Participants must stay in school, stay sober and complete four levels of the program. Wattigny has appeared before legislative committees to explain the operation of drug courts, and the need to increase funding. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh