DRUG COURT FUNDING OK'D BY JACKSON COUNTY OFFICIALS

PASCAGOULA - Jackson County supervisors have agreed to fund a drug court,
starting March 1.

Supervisors voted Monday to spend up to $50,000 for the court through Sept.
30, the last day of the fiscal year.

The court will become a separate budget item in the next fiscal year.

Circuit Judge Kathy Jackson has already enrolled five clients in the
program. Four more have lined up to join later this week.

"Sometimes you just got to jump out and do and hope the rest of it comes,"
said Jackson, who oversees a similar program that has been operating in
George and Greene counties since 2002.

The court serves as an alternative to jail for nonviolent drug offenders.
The program involves regular drug screenings, help finding a job and
working toward a GED.

Supervisor Robert Norvel voted against the program, saying funding it
mid-year violated the board's policy.

Board of Supervisors President John McKay replied "this is a very important
issue and we need to get it moving as soon as we can."

Officials did not say where the court's funding would come from, but
supervisors indicated it would probably come form the county's fund balance.