FAMILY DRUG COURT A WORTHY PROGRAM

Keeping families together after the evil of drug abuse intrudes can be
tough, but in many cases it's the right thing to do.

The family drug court pilot project for Benton and Franklin counties
is looking to reunite families torn apart by addictions. It's starting
small. But it has the potential to be something big.

Parents who get tangled up in drug abuse often are separated from
their children by the courts.

For good reason.

But even parents who realize their mistakes and strive to overcome
them face months of waiting before they can get back before a judge.

The family drug court could change that. Faster reconciliation of
children with parents who behave responsibly is the goal.

The pilot project, under the direction of coordinator Shari Gasperino,
will involve up to eight families. It's made possible by a $50,000
federal grant (given through the state) from The Administrative Office
of the Courts.

The money will pay for the strict supervision needed to ensure
addicted parents stay clean.

Compared with the costs of keeping children in foster care and parents
incarcerated, it's a bargain.

In the spring, the local family drug court team will apply for a
federal grant to keep the program funded for several more years.

People can make dumb mistakes, especially where illegal drugs are
concerned.

Punishment is to be expected. But where their children are concerned,
the punishment may be something that weighs more heavily on them than
their parents.

Getting around that is well worth doing.