DRUG COURTS

Hinds Judge Should Be Permanent

The stability of the Hinds County Drug Court is in question. Four
judges have served in two years and another judge will have to be
assigned after the next election.

But the revolving door of judges handling drug cases does not diminish
the need for a drug court. Rather, it begs for stability, so that it
no longer will be an "orphan court."

The success of drug courts in Mississippi has been the result of
commitment. The most successful one has been that of Circuit Judge
Keith Starrett of McComb, who started a drug court on his own more
than three years ago.

Drug courts are effective in sending nonviolent drug and alcohol
offenders into treatment followed by probation. It has been estimated
that diverting 40 people to drug court saves the state $1 million in
prison beds.

Hinds County's program currently has 62 participants and costs the
state about $200,000.

Attorney General Mike Moore has also been an advocate of drug courts.
About 6,000 people - a third of the state's prison population - are
serving time for drug offenses.

But the state only has a handful of drug courts, thanks to the
conscientious efforts of people like Starrett and, locally, the judges
who have devoted their time to it and state Rep. Alyce Clarke,
D-Jackson, who spearheaded the effort.

Mississippi lawmakers would be wise to establish a statewide system.
But, in the meantime, they should create a permanent judicial post for
Hinds County's program.