Pubdate: Sun, 16 May 2004 Source: Delta Democrat Times (MS) Copyright: 2004 Delta Democrat Times Contact: http://www.ddtonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2123 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) DRUG COURTS HELP OFFENDERS AND TAXPAYERS Alternative To Incarceration Rehabilitates Users And Requires Fewer Public Dollars Our jails and prisons are either full or near capacity and mainly because of get-tough sentencing legislation passed by almost every state in the nation. From "three strikes, you're out" to abandoning time off for good behavior, the criminal justice system is in meltdown. Taxpayers are bearing the brunt of this get-tough attitude on crime - from higher taxes to having more county and regional detention facilities being built to new state and federal prisons coming on line to house the burgeoning criminal element. Caught up in this crisis are the drug users and street corner dealers who now make up nearly half the prison populations across the country. In many cases, drug use is on par with other violent felony crimes such as armed robbery, aggravated assault and rape. As more and more drug users and dealers are arrested, sentenced and locked up, the jails fill up, and treatment rehabilitation of these people is something the system finds little time for. Fortunately, Dade County, Fla., Judge Stanley M. Goldstein came up with the idea of a drug court in 1989. He separated out his drug cases from his regular docket and then heard those cases at a separate time. Goldstein's vision has basically changed the judicial landscape with not only lightning speed but with impressive results. Fourth District Circuit Court Judge Margaret Carey McCray has now taken up the mantel and instituted a drug court here, too. McCray recently shared her thoughts and comments on a drug court with members of the Greenville Kiwanis Club. The 4th Circuit District, which includes Leflore, Washington and Sunflower counties, was approved for a pilot drug court program in 2001. Now thanks to the results, the program here will receive funding to fully implement a drug court with McCray serving as administrator. "The purpose of the drug court is to catch people who have been through the (criminal justice) system and address the underlying addiction," McCray said. Eligibility for the drug court requires the person charged with a drug offense to petition the district attorney's office through an attorney. The petition is then reviewed by the district attorney's office, law enforcement and treatment professionals to determine the eligibility of the petitioner. If the petition is approved, personnel with the drug court make a treatment assignment that is specific for the petitioner's addiction. So instead of the defendant languishing in a jail cell, treatment programs are handed down in lieu of punishment and last from 18 months up to three years. "It usually begins with residential treatment," McCray said. "It's a bit different from regular probation because we actually supervise the lives of the people who are in it. They are subject to three drug tests per week and a hearing each week. They must either be working or attending school unless they are disabled." Besides the different course of treatment, taxpayers can take comfort in the cost savings accrued from an effective drug court program. According to the National Drug Courts Web site, this alternative approach saves the taxpayer money because incarceration of drug offenders usually costs $25,000 to $40,000 annually per offender whereas drug court programs usually cost $2,500 to $4,000 per person. Another point to consider is that the recidivism rate of those who spend time in jail or prison and end up back in the criminal justice system is between 60 to 70 percent. The drug court program boasts a recidivism rate of between 16 to 20 percent. It's time we supported the efforts of McCray and others to fully implement a drug court in the 4th Circuit Court District. It's an investment we can ill afford to ignore. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder