CHARLIE SIMMONS ELECTED TO DRUG COURT BOARD

For his dedication to the county's drug court, Greenville Circuit
Court Judge Charlie Simmons has been elected to the National
Association of Drug Court Professionals board of directors. "I'm going
to take the best that's going on nationwide and try to implement it in
what I think is an outstanding drug-court program and continue to make
it better," he said.

As a member of the organization, Simmons said he learned a lot about
addiction and the different effects drugs can have on people. He
estimates that 70 to 80 percent of crimes are linked to drugs or alcohol.

"Illegal drugs and alcohol truly do drive the criminal justice system,
and that's true across the country," he said.

A strong drug court program diverts people from an already-crowded
jail system, said Greenville attorney Fletcher Smith. That saves
money, he said.

"Once people get to drug court it's out of our hands," he said.
"That's a fee we don't want if the person can get help."

It's also important to maintain programs that offer judges
alternatives to jailing offenders, Smith said.

Drug courts are a relatively new concept, but the proof that they work
is evident, Simmons said. People who are sent to jail often don't
receive the rehabilitation they need to stay out after they are
released, he said.

Participants must first plead guilty. Then, their sentences are
suspended while they undergo the "intensive" 18 month, four-phase
program, he said.

During the first phase, participants submit to several random drug
tests a week, attend counseling sessions, and go to Narcotics
Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. They must also maintain a
job.

As each phase brings them closer to completion, it also gives them
more freedom. Successful completion of drug court can change
participants' lives and positively impact others.

"It's a tremendous rarity when you have a program that works, changes
lives and saves money all at the same time," Simmons said.

It costs $2,500 a year per person to complete the drug court program,
compared to $14,000 a year in Department of Corrections.

Being on the board allows members to brainstorm, share ideas on policy
and secure funding, said board chair Louis J. Presenza, a Philadelphia
municipal court judge.

The board is composed of judges, lawyers, substance abuse treatment
professionals and law enforcement officials, he said. There are
currently 1,500 drug courts in the operational and planning phases
around the country. Most are connected with the organization in some
way.

"First, you have a chance to, one, find out what's working in their
jurisdictions and how that can possibly affect what you're doing in
your jurisdiction; second, you become more involved in the overall
strategic planning and long term thinking and goals of the
association," Presenza said.

Judges who involve themselves in drug courts must care about people
and their issues, he said.

Simmons was nominated by 13th Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail, who said
that his experience made him a natural choice for nomination.

"He is dedicated to the participants in the program. He cares about
them," Ariail said.