Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2004 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Associated Press JUDGES URGE APPROVAL OF DRUG COURTS JACKSON - Judges are urging Gov. Haley Barbour to sign legislation that would provide money for a statewide system of drug courts. Lawmakers approved the final version of the bill this week. It would provide a stable source of funding for current drug courts as well as some new ones, backers said. The bill would add a $10 assessment for drug court operations to fines for felonies, traffic offenses, DUI, game and fish violations and litter violations, and an $8 special assessment to other misdemeanors. Supporters said these would bring in about $5 million a year. Eleven drug courts operate in the state and five more are planned. Hinds County Judge Mike Parker, who presides over drug court, said they produce good results. He said people's lives are changed and those who would otherwise be a tax burden in jail become productive, taxpaying citizens, many of them supporting families. "This translates to real people in a huge way," Parker said in a news release. "To me, this is the best money I've ever seen spent in the court system, because I've seen the results." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D