News (Media Awareness Project) - US MS: Editorial: State Needs Additional Drug Courts |
| Title: | US MS: Editorial: State Needs Additional Drug Courts |
| Published On: | 2001-12-20 |
| Source: | Hattiesburg American (MS) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-31 09:40:54 |
STATE NEEDS ADDITIONAL DRUG COURTS
We note in passing that the 14th circuit drug court program in Brookhaven
graduated 18 participants on Monday.
This is significant for two reasons.
First, 18 more lives have been transformed as the result of an innovative
program that has demonstrated its effectiveness at rehabilitating drug
offenders.
Seond, it underscores - again - the rest of the state's slow progress
toward implementing other drug court programs.
Drug courts are programs that allow those convicted of drug offenses to
choose between jail or treatment. If offenders opt for the latter, they
must meet a strict criteria: attend weekly meetings, hold jobs, pass
regular drug tests and pay court costs.
Drug dealers, sex offenders and people convicted of violent crimes are not
allowed to participate in drug courts.
The 14th circuit drug court program, which was started a few years ago by
circuit judge Keith Starrett and serves Lincoln, Pike and Walthall
counties, continues to validate the wisdom of the drug court program.
The 18 members of the latest graduating class paid a total of $32,282 in
fines and $12,350 in fees. In other words, as Starrett points out, they
paid for their own treatment.
Better yet, instead of being incarcerated and becoming a financial burden
on taxpayers, they will now become productive members of society.
It's time for the rest of Mississippi's circuit court districts to
implement this valuable program.
According to a study released earlier this year by the robert wood
foundation, drug courts are an effective way to rehabilitate drug offenders.
The study, which tracked the success rates of 37 U.S. Drug courts between
1999 and 2001, found that the vast majority of drug courts have been highly
successful, posting a low recidivism rate and saving taxpayers a
considerable amount of money.
The 14th circuit drug court program is just one more example of the fact
that drug courts work.
If the other circuit court districts in the state implemented this program,
we might just make some headway in the war against drugs.
We note in passing that the 14th circuit drug court program in Brookhaven
graduated 18 participants on Monday.
This is significant for two reasons.
First, 18 more lives have been transformed as the result of an innovative
program that has demonstrated its effectiveness at rehabilitating drug
offenders.
Seond, it underscores - again - the rest of the state's slow progress
toward implementing other drug court programs.
Drug courts are programs that allow those convicted of drug offenses to
choose between jail or treatment. If offenders opt for the latter, they
must meet a strict criteria: attend weekly meetings, hold jobs, pass
regular drug tests and pay court costs.
Drug dealers, sex offenders and people convicted of violent crimes are not
allowed to participate in drug courts.
The 14th circuit drug court program, which was started a few years ago by
circuit judge Keith Starrett and serves Lincoln, Pike and Walthall
counties, continues to validate the wisdom of the drug court program.
The 18 members of the latest graduating class paid a total of $32,282 in
fines and $12,350 in fees. In other words, as Starrett points out, they
paid for their own treatment.
Better yet, instead of being incarcerated and becoming a financial burden
on taxpayers, they will now become productive members of society.
It's time for the rest of Mississippi's circuit court districts to
implement this valuable program.
According to a study released earlier this year by the robert wood
foundation, drug courts are an effective way to rehabilitate drug offenders.
The study, which tracked the success rates of 37 U.S. Drug courts between
1999 and 2001, found that the vast majority of drug courts have been highly
successful, posting a low recidivism rate and saving taxpayers a
considerable amount of money.
The 14th circuit drug court program is just one more example of the fact
that drug courts work.
If the other circuit court districts in the state implemented this program,
we might just make some headway in the war against drugs.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
