Pubdate: Tue, 26 Mar 2002
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Website: http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Feedback: http://www.timesdispatch.com/editorial/letters.htm
Address: P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293
Contact:  2002 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Fax: (804)819-1216
Author: Michael Paul Williams

Council To Seek Program Money

HELP IS ASKED FOR DRUG COURTS

The Richmond City Council will pore over its cash-strapped budget in search 
of money for the city's juvenile and adult drug courts.

The council heard drug court advocates and participants request help 
yesterday during an informal meeting in the council chamber.

Drug court participant Gene Willis had a ready reply when Councilwoman Reva 
Trammell asked why the council should find money in its budget for the drug 
court.

"Because it's a life-saving program," he replied.

The Richmond Adult Drug Court is a voluntary, court-supervised treatment 
program for nonviolent felony offenders.

The General Assembly did not fund juvenile and adult drug court programs in 
Richmond and a dozen other jurisdictions throughout the state. Gov. Mark R. 
Warner is pondering restoring $2.7 million to the state budget to pay for 
the programs; Richmond's adult drug court currently is funded by a $325,000 
state grant.

In the meantime, drug court advocates in each locale are seeking local help 
to keep their programs going. Unless Warner comes to the rescue or private 
or local funding is obtained, the Richmond drug court will run out of money 
at the end of June.

The city has its own money problems. As a result of the state budget 
crunch, Richmond faces a $9.6 million state funding shortfall next fiscal year.

Nonetheless, "We certainly will keep this on our list of items as we go 
through the budget process," said Mayor Rudolph C. McCollum Jr.

Council members sprinkled their questions with favorable comments about the 
program.

"We can walk around talking about 'lock'em up, lock'em up, lock'em up,' and 
some of them need to be locked up," Councilman W.R. "Bill" Johnson Jr. 
said. "But those who are earnestly trying to get back on their feet need 
our support."

Commonwealth's Attorney David Hicks said his office volunteers its time on 
behalf of the drug courts because his staff believes in the program. The 
program gives his office credibility because it demonstrates that 
prosecutors are about more than locking people up, he said.

"I would urge members of the council to find a way to support this," Hicks 
said.

He said the defendants who go through the program are all potential 
convictions for his office. "But a successful life is much more important 
than a conviction will ever be."
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