DRUG COURTS

House Is Missing The Point

Drug courts make sense. It is simple. Drug courts treat the root problem by
requiring treatment for offenders rather than just locking them up and
starting a lifetime cycle of incarceration, chemical dependency and crime.

Root causes

- - Drug courts treat the root causes of crime by mandating treatment and
dealing with an offender's chemical dependency.

- - The programs have better results and save taxpayers money.

Why is this so hard for the House of Representatives to understand?

The House last week undermined a Senate-passed bill that would help
establish a statewide drug court system. Drug courts now operate
successfully on a limited basis in Lincoln, Walthall, Pike, Hinds, Leflore,
Sunflower and Washington counties and in the Ridgeland Municipal Court.

The results have been good and the potential for effective crime-fighting
and rehabilitation is tremendous on a statewide level. State Auditor Phil
Bryant estimates the state could save about $5.4 million annually by
sending offenders through drug courts instead of incarceration in the penal
system.

The House approved the Senate-passed bill, but restricted participants to
those convicted of possession of a controlled substance. That cuts out too
many offenders, who may plead guilty to crimes associated with their drug
problems, such as prescription drug forgery, DUI, larceny and embezzlement.

The offenders still serve time, but get treatment.

Drug courts are not soft on crime, but effective on crime by getting to a
root cause. The bill should be restored and the program extended statewide.
Drug courts just make good sense.