JACKSON - TREATMENT CENTERS READY TO AID DRUG COURT

Local drug, alcohol and mental health facilities stand ready to treat
addicts in the judicial system now that Jackson has a grant to begin its
first drug court program.

Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, Pathways and Aspell
Recovery Center will provide different services for nonviolent offenders
who volunteer for drug court. The program, which starts July 1, is designed
to treat and rehabilitate drug and alcohol addicts.

Jackson was notified Tuesday that it had been approved for a federal grant
filtered through the state. The city received more than $344,000 over a
four-year period. The program is set up to treat about 20 offenders in the
first year.

"I think it's a great opportunity for Jackson," said Kim Parker, grant
manager at Pathways. "It is definitely a needed program."

Most people don't come into the local court system with charges relating
specifically to drugs and alcohol, she said. Rather, drug and alcohol use
are often the cause of other crimes, she said.

Pathways, JACOA and Aspell will provide treatment services such as
inpatient and outpatient care, drug screenings and group or individual
counseling. Each staff will provide the treatment needed for the offenders.

"Treatment is basically the only way to curb the disease of alcohol and
drug addiction," said Dan Roberts, JACOA's Montgomery Hall manager.
Montgomery Hall is a transitional facility for men who are recovering
alcoholics and drug addicts. It also helps homeless men.

Roberts also said the program will save taxpayers money by treating people
instead of incarcerating them.

The program costs about $2,500 per person annually, compared to $18,000 a
year to house an inmate. The grant provides $344,841, with a 25 percent
match by the city.

The city has approved a $13.75 litigation tax to court fees to provide the
match. It will raise city court costs to $52.50 while the statewide average
is $51.50.

JACOA Executive Director Dr. Douglas Harr is on the drug prevention
committee that pushed for and will establish the drug court program. He
could not be reached Wednesday, but has said the program will fill a need
in the community by reaching and treating those with chemical dependencies.

About 50 to 60 percent of drug court graduates eliminate drug use
altogether and only 4 percent are re-arrested, according to the National
Criminal Justice Reference Service Web site.

- - J.K. Devine, (731) 425-9763Jackson - Treatment centers ready to aid drug
court

By J.K. DEVINE jkdevine@jacksonsun.com 06/ 6 2002

Local drug, alcohol and mental health facilities stand ready to treat
addicts in the judicial system now that Jackson has a grant to begin its
first drug court program.

Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, Pathways and Aspell
Recovery Center will provide different services for nonviolent offenders
who volunteer for drug court. The program, which starts July 1, is designed
to treat and rehabilitate drug and alcohol addicts.

Jackson was notified Tuesday that it had been approved for a federal grant
filtered through the state. The city received more than $344,000 over a
four-year period. The program is set up to treat about 20 offenders in the
first year.

"I think it's a great opportunity for Jackson," said Kim Parker, grant
manager at Pathways. "It is definitely a needed program."

Most people don't come into the local court system with charges relating
specifically to drugs and alcohol, she said. Rather, drug and alcohol use
are often the cause of other crimes, she said.

Pathways, JACOA and Aspell will provide treatment services such as
inpatient and outpatient care, drug screenings and group or individual
counseling. Each staff will provide the treatment needed for the offenders.

"Treatment is basically the only way to curb the disease of alcohol and
drug addiction," said Dan Roberts, JACOA's Montgomery Hall manager.
Montgomery Hall is a transitional facility for men who are recovering
alcoholics and drug addicts. It also helps homeless men.

Roberts also said the program will save taxpayers money by treating people
instead of incarcerating them.

The program costs about $2,500 per person annually, compared to $18,000 a
year to house an inmate. The grant provides $344,841, with a 25 percent
match by the city.

The city has approved a $13.75 litigation tax to court fees to provide the
match. It will raise city court costs to $52.50 while the statewide average
is $51.50.

JACOA Executive Director Dr. Douglas Harr is on the drug prevention
committee that pushed for and will establish the drug court program. He
could not be reached Wednesday, but has said the program will fill a need
in the community by reaching and treating those with chemical dependencies.

About 50 to 60 percent of drug court graduates eliminate drug use
altogether and only 4 percent are re-arrested, according to the National
Criminal Justice Reference Service Web site.