DRUG COURT WILL HELP ALL

Drug abuse is not just the user's problem, it is society's problem. That
fact was illustrated recently when two armed robbery suspects allegedly
confessed to police that they went on a crime spree to support their
craving for cocaine. It also illustrates how a drug court might make a
positive difference in the community.

A drug court was recently formed in St. Landry Parish in the hopes of
solving drug-related problems that hard time in prison may not. When drug
addicts are released from prison, they are still dealing with the addiction
and may be more influenced by criminal tendencies after serving their time
with other hardened criminals.

The drug court aims to take non-violent offenders and get them help with
their problem by offering them the skills to overcome the addiction and
become a productive member of society. Drug courts are in use in other
communities that are attempting to curb crime associated with illegal drug
use. Non-violent drug offenders will be sent to the drug court in an
attempt to alter their behavior and stem their growth into violent criminal
activity.

Drug abuse is the community's problem because the user often preys on the
public to fund the habit or relies on taxpayer dollars to house them in
jail. Reducing the number of drug users will have a direct affect on the
crime rate, and the area's pocketbook.

Housing a prisoner is much more expensive than handling a drug user in a
drug court. The court requires that the offender stay clean, work and show
up while on a probationary period. When this does not happen, the
consequences will be handed down accordingly. But, this gets much more to
the point of the solving the problem rather than condemning and punishing
the act with prison time.

Illegal drug abuse must be stopped. A drug court is the best way to help
the user and protect society from the ills associated with the dangerous
affects of drug addiction. Be glad that it is now here.