Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2004 Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) Copyright: 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265 DO DRUG COURTS MAKE SENSE? A recent article by Journal Sentinel reporter Megan Twohey noted that Racine County circuit judges are moving - albeit with some reservations - toward creating the first drug treatment court in southeastern Wisconsin. The reservations are appropriate - the concept deserves thorough study and debate - but the important thing is that the judges are moving in the right direction. Courts set aside to deal specifically with drug offenses reportedly have proved successful in Dane County and elsewhere. The way it works in Dane County is that the district attorney's office refers adults charged with minor drug offenses to the drug treatment court, which could order them to spend an average of nine months undergoing treatment and monitoring by court officials. Offenders who successfully complete treatment and consistently test negative for drugs are released from the court system. The record of their crime is expunged. Those who fail the program are sent to jail. Such attention is not without cost. Racine County judges say they worry about the expense of running such a program and whether the county's Human Services Department has the capacity to absorb clients referred from a drug treatment system. Such a system also would require a judge willing to take on the additional responsibilities that come with a drug court. Those are certainly legitimate concerns that need to be addressed before a drug treatment court can be created. But non-violent drug offenders make up a significant and increasing percentage of the population in jails across the region - indeed, the country. Taxpayers foot the bill for that increase in the form of higher costs for corrections personnel and facilities. Racine County is only one of several in the area proposing to expand jail facilities at no small cost to taxpayers. If a drug treatment court can reduce the pressures of jail crowding, there could be corresponding savings for taxpayers. And if the court can provide more effective treatment for non-violent drug offenders and get them off drugs permanently, the result could be healthier and more productive lives. By moving forward with the idea, Racine County judges are looking forward in the best Wisconsin tradition. Judges in the rest of southeastern Wisconsin might want to consider following that lead. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart