DRUG COURTS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR FIGHTING CRIME

The Gibson County Drug Court in Trenton appears to be off to a solid start.
That's good news. After setting up shop in July, the court currently has 12 to
15 clients.

Drug courts work. They provide much-needed treatment for drug addicts and help
reduce crime. They also provide a viable alternative to traditional methods of
punishment and help reduce prison overcrowding by keeping minor drug offenders
out of jail.

The Gibson County Drug Court follows the blueprint of previous courts. The
program is closed to violent offenders. Those who qualify are recommended by
judges or lawyers. Participants receive in-patient treatment. Then the program
includes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, weekly appearances before the drug
court and weekly and random drug tests. Participants are required to have jobs,
or to participate in job training, community service or education programs.

The need for drug courts has never been more urgent. According to researchers,
70 percent of all crime committed is drug related.

Drug courts provide an important and effective tool for law enforcement because
they address the root cause of crime - drug addiction - and not just the end
results. They give addicts a real opportunity to turn their lives around by
offering them a chance at an education or by providing them with job training.
And the results speak for themselves. Some courts have reported cutting their
repeat-offender rates by 50 percent or more.

Jackson's drug court began operating in March, a full three months before
Trenton. Yet, our local court has only eight clients, with eight more in
referral. That makes us wonder. Why has our referral rate lagged behind?

Local judges should make greater use of our drug court. That would give more
people a second chance to become productive members of our society.