News (Media Awareness Project) - US TN: Editorial: Another Drug Court Plus |
| Title: | US TN: Editorial: Another Drug Court Plus |
| Published On: | 2003-11-12 |
| Source: | Tennessean, The (TN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-23 22:54:15 |
Copyright: 2003 The Tennessean
Contact: letters@tennessean.com
Website: http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
ANOTHER DRUG COURT PLUS
Metro has been on the cutting edge of drug court sentencing as a way to get
to the root of drug problems. That effort is growing with the adoption of a
"treatment court" by General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland.
Metro Criminal Court Judge Seth Norman started a drug court in Nashville in
1997. Under Norman's program, felony drug offenders agree to stay in a
residential treatment facility. Moreland is expanding the concept in
Nashville, although in his plan offenders are able to live in their own
homes. Moreland says that he expects at least 25-30 participants.
The program puts an emphasis on rehab for people convicted of misdemeanor
drug charges. It involves daily training and focuses on behavioral skills
such as anger management. It also addresses job readiness. Frequently,
people with drug problems get arrested and incarcerated only to be turned
loose when their time is served with no skills and no prospects for work.
Many wind up in trouble again, and they still have the drug addiction.
Moreland's program allows people to hold down a job or better themselves
through education while under watch. This gives them more of a chance to
gain some stability instead of going through a losing cycle.
Moreland's treatment court is now operating on existing funds, with other
court officers doing their part to make it work. But Moreland says he will
soon ask Metro for extra money for the system. Metro taxpayers should
support giving the court the resources it needs. It will help rein in jail
overcrowding, but more importantly it will get to the heart of what is
driving so many people into trouble. Rid people of their drug problems, and
a lot of other problems go away with them. It is good to see that Metro's
courts understand that and are willing to act on it.
Contact: letters@tennessean.com
Website: http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
ANOTHER DRUG COURT PLUS
Metro has been on the cutting edge of drug court sentencing as a way to get
to the root of drug problems. That effort is growing with the adoption of a
"treatment court" by General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland.
Metro Criminal Court Judge Seth Norman started a drug court in Nashville in
1997. Under Norman's program, felony drug offenders agree to stay in a
residential treatment facility. Moreland is expanding the concept in
Nashville, although in his plan offenders are able to live in their own
homes. Moreland says that he expects at least 25-30 participants.
The program puts an emphasis on rehab for people convicted of misdemeanor
drug charges. It involves daily training and focuses on behavioral skills
such as anger management. It also addresses job readiness. Frequently,
people with drug problems get arrested and incarcerated only to be turned
loose when their time is served with no skills and no prospects for work.
Many wind up in trouble again, and they still have the drug addiction.
Moreland's program allows people to hold down a job or better themselves
through education while under watch. This gives them more of a chance to
gain some stability instead of going through a losing cycle.
Moreland's treatment court is now operating on existing funds, with other
court officers doing their part to make it work. But Moreland says he will
soon ask Metro for extra money for the system. Metro taxpayers should
support giving the court the resources it needs. It will help rein in jail
overcrowding, but more importantly it will get to the heart of what is
driving so many people into trouble. Rid people of their drug problems, and
a lot of other problems go away with them. It is good to see that Metro's
courts understand that and are willing to act on it.
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