JEFFERSON DRUG COURTS HONORED, HAILED AS 'NATIONAL MODEL'

Jefferson County's drug courts received recognition yesterday from a
professional group as a ''national model and training center.''

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals honored the
Jefferson County drug court, one of the first of its kind in the
country, for its success in rehabilitating substance abusers and
finding alternatives to prison.

Carolyn Hardin, project director for the association's National Drug
Court Institute, presented plaques to Kentucky Chief Justice Joseph
Lambert, Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze, Jefferson District Judge
Henry Weber and Jefferson Circuit Judge Stephen Ryan for their work
in the program.

''I know of no program anywhere that has the potential to take
people's lives who are at a very low ebb . . . and restore that
person's life to one of integrity and self-respect and self-esteem,''
Lambert said.

Hardin said the group believes that Weber, who helped start the
Jefferson County program in 1993, is the longest-sitting drugcourt
judge.

The institute conducted a training seminar this week in Louisville
for court officials interested in starting drug courts. That included
watching the Jefferson drug court in operation and hearing yesterday
from several of the program's 288 graduates.

''The reward I have is these folks,'' Weber said, referring to the
graduates who spoke yesterday.

Bruce Holmes, 39, said he lost a job because of drugs.

''The program works, there is no doubt it works,'' said Holmes, who
graduated from drug court three years ago.

Only nonviolent offenders are eligible for the program. Treatment
includes counseling and group therapy. Drug use is monitored. Those
who miss therapy or relapse can be sent to jail before being
readmitted to the program.

It takes at least a year to complete the program, with most graduates
finishing in 18 months, said Bill Patteson, a spokesman for Maze.

Weber said he also is starting to preside over a civil family
drug-court program for parents who might lose their children because
of drug problems.