COMMISSION OKS GRANT APPLICATION FOR DRUG COURT

Randall County Commissioners met Tuesday and approved an application
for grant money from the Texas Governor's Office to research the
possible implementation of a drug court for Randall and Potter counties.

The money would allow for research and planning but would not fund
the actual implementation of the facility, said Randall County
Sheriff Joel Richardson.

"Most local government officials think it can work here," Richardson
said. "It would reduce the jail population and help people with drug
and alcohol problems. We ought to be doing something other than
locking people up."

The grant application must be submitted by Friday, and commissioners
tabled a resolution for the planning of the drug court for a later meeting.

Dwight Vick, an assistant professor in the Department of Political
Science and Criminal Justice at West Texas A & M University, spoke
with commissioners about the affects of a drug court based on his
experience in evaluating similar programs in Iowa.

"When I came here I learned there was no drug court, and I knew of
the methamphetamine epidemic that existed here in the Texas
Panhandle," Vick said.

"I saw an opportunity to work a coalition to bring a drug court
program to the area."

Vick said that WT would serve as coalition and evaluator of the program.

"Drug courts work. What was happening in areas that started a
program were that someone would go to jail and get out and be back
using or selling drugs in a few days. There was a constant revolving
door," Vick said. "Drug courts were designed to give more guidance
or direction to those with a drug related problem."

The commissioners also approved extending an already existing burn
ban for the county that will be in effect through May 26.

The commissioners will next meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.