TIOGA COUNTY WEIGHS DRUG COURT PLANS

OWEGO -- People charged with nonviolent crimes who are addicted to drugs or
alcohol may be sentenced to an intensive treatment program instead of jail
if the Tioga County Legislature approves a drug court program.

Tioga officials listened Thursday to a panel presentation about the social
and economic benefits of running a county drug treatment court. The
presentation was made by members of the Oswego County Drug Treatment Court
in the auditorium of Tioga's administration building at 56 Main St.

Drug treatment court is a voluntary program, Oswego County Judge James
McCarthy said. To enroll in Oswego's program, defendants, who must be at
least 16 years old, must plead guilty to a criminal charge and sign a
contract that explains the sentence that will be imposed if the defendant
does not complete the program.

Tompkins County has two drug treatments courts that operate in Ithaca City
Court and Tompkins County Court. It also has a similar program to address
cases with similar circumstances in Family Court.

Each week, participants attend several sessions with their treatment
provider. They also meet with the drug treatment court judge and undergo
random drug tests. People who violate their treatment program receive
immediate sanctions, such as a weekend in jail or community service hours.
Some are terminated from the program and are ordered to serve their
original sentence in jail.

People in drug court programs often go to school or work and start paying
taxes and child support, McCarthy said. He said the drug treatment court
reduces the number of repeat offenders, saves money by not jailing
defendants and increases public safety by reducing the number of people who
steal or commit other crimes to get drugs.

The original charge against a defendant usually is reduced or dismissed
after completion of the program, McCarthy said. The original plea remains
in effect if the defendant does not complete the program.

Tioga County Judge Vincent Sgueglia said he likes the fact that
participants get help faster.