WASHINGTON COUNTY TO OPEN DRUG COURT

ST. GEORGE -- Washington County is preparing to open its first drug court
on Dec. 13. Defendants who agree to drug court enter a guilty plea. That
conviction is later set aside and the case dismissed if the person
successfully completes an 18-month-long drug rehabilitation program.

Fifth District Judge James Shumate said when the court opens in Washington
County it will have 10 defendants and will add 10 people a month until it
reaches 40 people.

For a person to be accepted to drug court, he or she must be nonviolent and
drug-dependent. The people in drug court are tested for drug use three or
four times a week. The defendant is required to see the judge on a regular
basis besides receiving treatment.

Of the 220 people who have completed the program, only 15 have been
arrested again on felony drug charges.