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.