Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jul 2008
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus,GA)
Copyright: 2008 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237
Author: Ben Wright
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

MUSCOGEE DRUG COURT GETS GRANT

The Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court has been  awarded a $30,903 
grant from the Judicial Council of  Georgia Standing Committee on Drug Courts.

Drug Court Director Mary Bode said the grant will be  used to help 
pay a salary in the department.

Since beginning in 2002, Drug Court has offered  services to 
juveniles who have been arrested for  drug-related offenses such as 
marijuana possession.

Taking part in the program requires at a minimum,  substance abuse 
treatment, appearances in front of the  judge every two weeks, 
frequent random drug screens,  home monitoring visits and other 
services. The program  can last up to two years.

Team members note that Drug Court and similar programs  are not a 
"soft on crime" alternative to jail.

Officials have argued that it costs less to put a  juvenile through 
Drug Court per day than it does to put  that same child in the 
Regional Youth Detention Center  in Columbus.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom