Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jun 2009
Source: Clayton News Daily (Jonesboro, GA)
Copyright: 2009 Clayton News Daily
Contact:  http://www.news-daily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3488
Author: Linda Looney-Bond

CLAYTON OFFICIALS PLAN DRUG COURT PROGRAM

Clayton County Superior Court, with the assistance of several county
and community agencies, is preparing to launch an Adult Felony Drug
Court program.

Representatives from more than a dozen agencies including Clayton
County's police department, sheriff's office, department of
corrections, and board of health met Thursday for a community
stakeholders meeting to discuss the status of the program.

The drug court, which is scheduled to begin operating Sept. 1, is
designed to address substance abuse and addiction-driven crimes,
according to Superior Court Judge Albert Collier, who will be the
program's presiding judge.

"It's going to be a very strict program with a lot of accountability
in it," Collier said.

"Most [drug-addicted] people going to prison serve their time, then
get out, and the first thing they're looking for is 'how can I get
high?'" he said. "If we can get these people turned around, we'll
never see these people in the criminal justice system again."

The Adult Felony Drug Court program will provide sentencing
alternatives to traditional incarceration, and will address the
recidivism rates of non-violent offenders with substance-abuse
problems, according to Collier. Non-violent felonies would include
thefts, burglaries and financial identity fraud, Collier said.

Participants in the program will be able to receive outpatient and
residential substance-abuse treatment, and must submit to frequent
drug testing, according to a statement issued by the court. Drug court
participants will also be required to complete educational and
vocational training programs, maintain stable housing and employment,
and participate in community service activities.

Collier said those accepted into the program will also be required to
appear before him in court once per week, on Fridays, in a hearing
that will be open to the public.

"For many people, this is their last hope," Collier said.

"I think it's incredibly important," Clayton County District Attorney
Tracy Graham Lawson said of the planned program. "People that are
addicted to drugs have a disease, and unless you help them with that
disease, it's like a revolving door of the prison system.

"It's an all-around win. It's less expensive for the judicial system,"
said Graham Lawson. "It puts families back together and it makes the
person have a life again."

"Drug courts are very prevalent in the state of Georgia," said
Collier. He said examples of successful drug courts include a Drug DUI
Program in Clayton County State Court, as well as drug court programs
in DeKalb and Lamar counties. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr