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. 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart