RICHLAND COUNTY DRUG COURT AIMS TO TURN AROUND THE 'WAR ON
DRUGS'

MANSFIELD -- Richland County Common Pleas Judge James Henson knew the
"war on drugs" needed to change.

"Sending young people to prison for using drugs wasn't working," he
said. "We were getting the same people out that we were sending in."

Chief probation Officer Dave Leitenberger agreed. "We've seen so much
growth in drug crimes over the last two decades," he said. "The
long-term problem has to be solved through behavior change and
treatment. You have to offer them treatment and an opportunity to
live a normal life."

That's why drug court was created.

The program, started in April 1997 through federal funds, offers
abusers a second chance. Richland County's version was one of the
first five in Ohio.

"What drug court does is it gives people an opportunity, people who
are helpless and a lot of times homeless," Henson said. "They are
literally society's orphans."

Drug court is usually for first-time, low-level offenders. Those
involved have to get a job, attend meetings, follow a curfew and see
their probation officers. They also meet twice a month in Henson's
courtroom.

"That (seeing a judge) is the biggest thing," probation Officer Pam
Grimes said. "When he hands out sanctions, they take it more serious."

Henson said, "Somebody has to have a hammer."

Henson admits he is likely to give someone a free pass after the
first positive drug test.

"It's treatment court. They do get a few more chances," Grimes said.
"They are addicts. You have to work with them to get them on the
correct page."

Completing drug court takes at least 18 months, but it can last three
years. Reasons for getting kicked out include relapsing and
absconding from supervision.

"When we kick them out, they end up going to jail or prison," Henson
said. "Sometimes that works."

Leitenberger said drug court "puts teeth in treatment."

"It makes you comply because you have that incarceration hanging over
your head," he said.

Such was the case for Amy Ice, a recovering heroin addict and
alcoholic. She was looking at five years in prison.

"Thank God they gave me the opportunity," Ice said. "I don't believe
you're going to get any rehab in prison."

Ice graduated from drug court in October.

"It isn't that hard if you do what they tell you to do," she said.
"It gives you the chance not to go to prison. You have the chance to
change your life if you want to."

Ice, who will be alcohol and drug-free two years in April, said the
meetings with Henson and the other members of drug court can be
intimidating.

"It's kind of like reporting to your probation officer in front of
everybody," she said.

Not everyone makes it through drug court. Henson recalls a number of
fatal overdoses.

"It's like losing a member of the family," the judge said. "We stand
around and commiserate."

There are many more success stories. Drug court has produced 350
graduates and 26 drug-free babies, Leitenberger said.

"It helps to ground me," Henson said. "Every case I deal with, I'm
just dealing with human beings who have human problems.

"We've had people regenerate and start their lives again. That's
good."