Pubdate: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 Source: USA Today (US) Page: 10A Copyright: 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc Contact: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n961/a09.html Author: Louis J. Presenza DRUG COURTS CAN REVERSE HEARTBREAK OF DRUG ABUSE, ADDICTION Judge Morris Hoffman alleged that drug courts don't work and that they entrap addicts in the criminal justice system ("Drug courts don't work," Opposing view, Crime and punishment debate, Oct. 21). I ask him to judge the evidence impartially: In 2005, the Government Accountability Office concluded from dozens of studies that drug courts reduce crime. Since then, no less than five independent scientific teams have concluded from "meta-analyses" (a rigorous statistical tool) that drug courts reduce crime, save money for taxpayers and avoid victimization. The Urban Institute, an independent think tank in Washington, concluded that drug courts reap $2 to $3 in benefits for every $1 invested. And no evidence is offered to support the indictment that drug courts "net-widen" to entrap addicts. As a judge with more than 26 years of experience, I have presided over countless cases exhibiting the devastating impact of drug abuse and addiction. I have also witnessed firsthand the success of drug courts in reversing this heartbreak. It is evidenced by more than 1,500 graduates who stood before me committed to re-enter their communities as productive citizens. Hundreds of my judicial colleagues have witnessed this same scene, and I know many agree that this is the most rewarding part of our jobs. Combining treatment, accountability and due process together under the drug-court umbrella affords non-violent, addicted offenders a chance at redemption. The proof is evidenced in its replication across hundreds of jurisdictions, support from state legislatures and Supreme Courts, and endorsement by the Conference of Chief Justices, Conference of State Court Administrators, National District Attorneys Association, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and many others. Louis J. Presenza, president judge Philadelphia Municipal Court Philadelphia - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake