Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 Source: Rome News-Tribune ( GA ) Copyright: 2005sRome News-Tribune Contact: http://www.romenews-tribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1716 Author: Diane Wagner Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) JUDGES CONSIDER DRUG COURT Hope Ministry Asks For Help From $245,000 Frozen For Possible Court During the past 16 months, judges of the Floyd County Superior Court have earmarked more than $245,000 in fines to start a new drug treatment court. Chief Judge Walter J. Matthews said they are still gathering data on similar courts in other jurisdictions but could be ready next year with a proposal for the Floyd County Commission. "We're still trying to decide if we want to establish one, but we don't want to spend all that money and then ask the county for everything," Matthews said. The money comes from add-on fines paid into a County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education fund authorized by state law. County commissioners can tap a DATE fund to pay for any drug treatment or education program, but Matthews signed a court order freezing the Floyd County fund in February 2004. Last week the County Commission suggested Hope Ministry ask Matthews to release some of the money for its parolee and probationer community re-entry program. Officials with the volunteer ministry sought $10,000 from the commission to help fund its rehabilitative services. Commissioners also said some of Sheriff Tim Burkhalter's plans to upgrade security in the courthouse might be funded with DATE money. Burkhalter said he wants to buy a new X-ray machine, estimated at $30,000, and staff the entrance with armed guards. Matthews said Friday that security improvements are not eligible for DATE funding under state law. The Hope Ministry program is, and he said he would consider it, but the judges are leery of opening the floodgates. "I'm not saying we wouldn't help, but we don't want to let that money dribble away," Matthews said. "Funds are hard to come by ( for a drug court ), and we want to be fiscally responsible." Drug treatment courts are operating in several circuits, including Cobb County, Brunswick, Macon, Gainesville and Dalton. They typically are reserved for first-time drug offenders not charged with other serious crimes. Instead of prison, offenders are sentenced to treatment, group programs, work or job training, drug testing several times a week and a weekly appearance before the drug court judge. "They're intended to catch people who might benefit from rehabilitation and divert them from the system, as long as they comply with pretty strict requirements," Matthews said. The testing, intensive attention and additional judge would cost more than the $245,436.53 in the fund as of June 28, but Matthews said a drug court could benefit the county in the long run. There are several ways the program could be tailored to local needs, he said, and the judges are monitoring the effectiveness of existing courts before they decide whether to seek the support of the County Commission.