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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom