JUDGE HONORED FOR DRUG COURT WORK

Acadiana bureau bschultz@theadvocate.com NEW IBERIA -- Judge Gerard Wattigny
of the 16th Judicial District will be honored today for his work to
establish a drug court in Iberia Parish. Wattigny will be receiving the
Leadership Award from the Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals
and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Congress.

Judge William Hunter will present the award at 4:30 p.m. at the Iberia
Parish Courthouse.

Wattigny, a district judge since his election in October 1995, started the
first adult therapeutic drug court in Iberia Parish in April 1998 with a
$500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The program assists nonviolent, first and second offenders who are breaking
the law because of a substance abuse problem.

The yearlong program involves regular drug testing, close supervision,
substance abuse treatment and a system of sanctions and incentives.

To complete the program, a defendant is required to obtain a high school
diploma or a General Educational Development certificate, have a job and a
stable residence, pay all fines and fees, and stay sober.

The Iberia Parish program claims to have a recidivism rate of 1 percent for
the 70 percent of the participants who successfully complete the program.

Wattigny also helped establish the first juvenile drug court in Iberia
Parish two years ago.

It helps juveniles from ages 13 to 17 years who are nonviolent offenders
with existing substance abuse problems, using a combination of drug
screening, group counseling for juveniles and parents, weekly home visits
and a system of sanctions and incentives. Participants must stay in school,
stay sober and complete four levels of the program.

Wattigny has appeared before legislative committees to explain the operation
of drug courts, and the need to increase funding.