Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Cleveland Daily Banner (TN)
Copyright: 2005 Cleveland Daily Banner
Contact:  http://www.clevelandbanner.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/947
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

DRUG COURT GIVES ADDICTS ASSIST OUT OF RECIDIVISM

Statistics tell us as many as 90 percent of drug users will return to drug 
use and crime following release from prison. By using the concept of Adult 
Drug Court the repeat offender rate drops to as low as 16 percent one year 
after completion of the program.

Statistics also tell us that for every dollar spent in Drug Court treatment 
programs we save $10 that would have to be spent in the corrections field.

But what numbers don't tell us is the difference a regimented, 
court-supervised treatment program can have on the entire family of the 
person involved.

One year of a solid program of treatment three times per week; weekly 
reviews and drug testing is having a profound effect of putting families 
back together that have been torn apart by drug use.

Judge Carroll Ross and District Attorney General Jerry formulated the local 
Drug Court over a year ago based on programs in other jurisdictions. The 
program is hard work for the participants, all of whom have entered guilty 
pleas to felonies.

It is also hard work for the counselors, prosecutors and court personnel 
involved. They must take a personal interest in each client. It is this 
personal involvement along with peer encouragement and family support that 
can make the program work.

All of the participants have committed nonviolent crimes, but have been 
addicted to drugs. They have the opportunity to end years of drug abuse and 
return to their families and become productive elements of our community.

Some will not make it through the year-long program and continuing 
follow-up sessions. They will face the temptation of returning to their 
former involvement with drugs and end their journey in prison.

But the majority in this program will beat their addiction s and rejoin 
their families and stand tall with their personal success. They will have 
their families and a future.

Then they will no longer be just a statistic.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom