Pubdate: Sun, 16 Feb 2003
Source: Natchez Democrat, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 Natchez Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2205
Author: Nita McCann, The Natchez Democrat
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

BILL WOULD ESTABLISH DRUG COURT

NATCHEZ - The state's Administrative Office of the Courts would oversee a 
statewide drug court program under a bill now before the state House of 
Representatives.

"It empowers the AOC to set guidelines" for such programs, said Adams 
County Youth Court Judge John Hudson, whose juvenile drug court program is 
the first in the state.

Hudson has met with other judges and with treatment professionals 
throughout the session to help iron out the bill's details and said he 
feels good about the measure's chances.

Under Senate Bill 2605, passed by the Senate and sent to the House 
Appropriations Committee earlier this month:

Courts wanting to establish drug court programs would send the AOC a full 
description of the programs and their funding sources, and the AOC would be 
in charge of certifying the programs.

Such programs would have to include invention components, which could 
include clinical assessment, education, referral, case management, 
counseling and treatment.

A State Drug Courts Advisory Committee would monitor the courts and 
recommend any changes to the AOC.

Participants could have no previous felony convictions for violent crimes. 
They also could not be currently charged with a violent crime, with 
distribution or production of drugs or with driving under the influence.

True, the bill does not provide any source of funding for the statewide 
network of drug courts, said Hudson.

But with a framework in place to certify and monitor drug courts, "it (the 
AOC) could help draw down the federal funds are available to help fund 
things like this," Hudson said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager