Pubdate: Fri, 13 Sep 2002
Source: Daily Comet (LA)
Copyright: 2002 Comet-Press Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://dailycomet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1505
Note: Letter writers must provide phone number for verification

GOOD NEWS IN DRUG WAR

Keeping track of this nation's drug problem would be enough to give even 
the most optimistic person a permanent case of depression.

Drug abuse and addiction lead to broken homes and shattered lives. Alcohol 
and drug use in themselves can be dangerous and, on top of that, can lead 
to bad decisions that result in teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted 
disease and fatal auto accidents.

Those caught with illegal drugs see their lives ripped apart as they are 
sentenced - often with mandatory sentences - to harsh prison terms with 
violent felons. And the taxpayers pay the price by having to support a 
ballooning prison population.

Society as a whole loses out because once these people return to society, 
they are often unemployable or, worse, hardened criminals.

But there is hope, and we have local proof.

The Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court was set up to provide 
alternatives to the draconian prison sentences that must be imposed. The 
drug court allows those convicted of some drug crimes to choose treatment 
over punishment.

That is not to say that the court's program is a walk in the park. On the 
contrary, it takes a year to 18 months to complete it and it includes 
frequent drug testing and an intensive regime of behavior modification.

Those who fail are left to complete their jail sentences. But those who 
succeed have a well earned sense of accomplishment.

At each drug court graduation, a group of people who have worked long and 
hard to get on the good side of life stand up and are recognized.

So far, there have been 74 graduates, out of 194 offenders placed in the 
drug court in Lafourche. That might not sound like a good graduation rate, 
but it shows that the program is rigorous and that it's not for everybody.

For those 74, though, another set of numbers tells a great story. Only 
three of them in the past four years has been convicted of a new offense 
within two years of completion. That means the Lafourche program has a 4 
percent recidivism rate.

So, although the local program is one of more than 1,200 that have sprung 
up in the 13 years since the first one began in Miami, it is among the best.

Nationwide, recidivism rates range from 4 to 20 percent for drug court 
graduates. We're at the good end of that scale.

Congratulations to retired Judge John J. Erny Jr., who was instrumental in 
beginning the program; to Judge John E. LeBlanc, who currently presides 
over it; and to Cheryl Breaux Scharf, who is the director and administrator.

Thanks to this program, there are a lot more valuable citizens than there 
would otherwise be - and that's a reward we all reap.
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MAP posted-by: Beth