Pubdate: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 Source: Canyon News, The (TX) Copyright: 2008 The Canyon News Contact: http://www.canyonnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3002 Author: Amanda Gragert Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) COMMISSION OKS GRANT APPLICATION FOR DRUG COURT Randall County Commissioners met Tuesday and approved an application for grant money from the Texas Governor's Office to research the possible implementation of a drug court for Randall and Potter counties. The money would allow for research and planning but would not fund the actual implementation of the facility, said Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson. "Most local government officials think it can work here," Richardson said. "It would reduce the jail population and help people with drug and alcohol problems. We ought to be doing something other than locking people up." The grant application must be submitted by Friday, and commissioners tabled a resolution for the planning of the drug court for a later meeting. Dwight Vick, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at West Texas A & M University, spoke with commissioners about the affects of a drug court based on his experience in evaluating similar programs in Iowa. "When I came here I learned there was no drug court, and I knew of the methamphetamine epidemic that existed here in the Texas Panhandle," Vick said. "I saw an opportunity to work a coalition to bring a drug court program to the area." Vick said that WT would serve as coalition and evaluator of the program. "Drug courts work. What was happening in areas that started a program were that someone would go to jail and get out and be back using or selling drugs in a few days. There was a constant revolving door," Vick said. "Drug courts were designed to give more guidance or direction to those with a drug related problem." The commissioners also approved extending an already existing burn ban for the county that will be in effect through May 26. The commissioners will next meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 11. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom