Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) FUNDING FOR DRUG COURT STUDIED (AP) Jackson County supervisors have created a committee to find money for a drug court. Circuit Judge Kathy Jackson told supervisors Monday that she would be willing to start a drug court in Jackson County. She said the program would cost between $100,000 and $150,000, contingent on fees collected from participants. "It works," Jackson told supervisors. "It's the best thing I've seen in trying to help people change." Supervisors Frank Leach and Manly Barton were authorized Monday to meet with local judges to review the program and identify potential avenues for funding. The two supervisors and the judges are expected to present a report to the board in two to three weeks. "There's no opposition to this at all," Board of Supervisors President John McKay told the judges. "We're committed to doing it, but we're not sure how we're going to do it." The 2003 Legislature passed a law that provides for drug court programs statewide. Lawmakers did not include any funding. Participants in drug court must have been indicted or arrested on drug charges other than selling and cannot have a history of violent crime. There are seven such courts already in existence in the state. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom