Pubdate: Sun, 12 May 2002
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2002 Johnson City Press and Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: John Thompson, Elizabethton Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

CARTER PANEL STUDYING SETTING UP NEW DRUG COURT

ELIZABETHTON - There may soon be a new court in Carter County set up to 
handle non-violent drug abusers. A panel of county officials has begun work 
to establish the new court, similar to one that has been established in 
Washington County.

The reason for the interest in the alternative court is that a drug court 
provides a more comprehensive supervision of offenders than normal courts, 
said Vanessa Scott, drug court coordinator with Comprehensive Community 
Services.

This intensive supervision has been shown to be the most effective means of 
controlling drug users' behavior and addiction.

While there is a probation program set up in all criminal courts to monitor 
the behavior of those who have been convicted, what makes a drug court 
different is that the probationary supervision is much more intensive, 
Scott said.

She said that nearly every day, those in the program will have some kind of 
appointment to meet. One day it might be with a probation officer, the next 
day a drug counselor, the next day it might be for a drug screening, the 
next day it might be an appointment with the drug court judge and the next 
day a vocational counselor.

"They won't have time to get into more trouble," Elizabethton Police Chief 
Roger Deal said. He is a member of the committee that is exploring the program.

"One of the things I like about the program from a law-enforcement 
perspective is that if I hear that someone has been to a bar or done 
something else wrong, I know they will be reporting to someone the next 
day; I don't have to go out and find them," Deal said.

Some of the other local officials who are working to develop the drug court 
are Sessions Court Judge John Walton, Assistant District Attorney General 
Mark Hill, Carter County Circuit Court Clerk John Paul Mathes and Carter 
County Sheriff's Department Investigator Johnny Blankenship.

Scott said the drug courts have achieved a great deal of success throughout 
the nation. There are now approximately 750 drug courts in the United 
States, with another 500 being planned.

More than 300,000 people have entered the drug court programs. Many of the 
programs have achieved remarkable success in reducing drug abuse and repeat 
offenses, statistics show.

The local group will study the most successful programs in the nation and 
tailor those techniques to the local situation to develop a program that 
will be successful, Scott said.

The group must also determine eligibility criteria and other details. Since 
the program is designed for non-violent misdemeanor offenders, it will not 
include those who have been charged with domestic violence and those who 
are charged with possession of drugs for resale.

Scott said the group will also be working to enlist other community leaders 
to join a steering committee for the program.

"It takes strong support from the community to make it work," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom