Pubdate: Fri, 05 Mar 2004
Source: Natchez Democrat, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 Natchez Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2205
Note: Note: 150 word count limit on LTEs
Author: Julie Finley, The Natchez Democrat
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DRUG COURT REQUEST APPROVED

NATCHEZ -- Adams County is one step closer to having a drug court for adults.

The board of supervisors approved a request Thursday from Judge Lillie 
Blackmon Sanders for $6,000 to be used for supplies.

Sanders told the board the money will be used to purchase treatment kits 
and drug tests, not to pay the salaries of her nine-person volunteer team. 
The court has no prior funding. Sanders said she plans to apply for grant 
money and hopes to receive $100,000 next January.

"We are starting our drug court very small with five people," she said. "If 
successful, we anticipate more."

All five board members told Sanders they knew the benefits of a drug court, 
but only three members voted to fund her request.

Sammy Cauthen and Henry Watts expressed concerns that the money just wasn't 
there and recommended waiting for the grant money. The three supervisors in 
support of the motion said they felt the benefits would cover the costs.

"Theoretically, the program will help reduce criminal activity in Adams 
County and be a savings for the county and state in legal and jail 
expenses," President Darryl Grennell said.

Thomas Campbell agreed the money the county uses to pay lawyers for drug 
cases could be saved. "Drugs have ravaged the nation for years," Campbell 
said. "The penitentiary is not the place for these people, it is a 
sickness. We've got to do something."

Sanders said she plans to get the drug court running as soon as possible. 
The participants will receive weekly random drug tests, be under the watch 
of law enforcement officers and report weekly to Sanders to update her on 
their progress. They will also be required to have a job. If any drug test 
turns up positive, the participant will have to serve 10 days in jail. The 
program lasts three years for each participant.

Sanders also asked the board to for $20,000 for the next fiscal year.

The supervisors also appointed five new members to the airport commission 
and passed a resolution changing the setup of the board. They reduced the 
number of members from six to five and staggered the terms in order to 
always have returning members.

Ronnie Baker will serve a one-year term, Cliff Robinson will serve two 
years, Ken Drane will serve three years, Luther Bradford will serve four 
years and Claiborne Hollis will serve five years.
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