SUFFOLK LOOKS AT LAUNCHING DRUG COURT TO HELP FIGHT CRIME

SUFFOLK -- The city may join the rapidly growing ranks of communities
setting up drug courts to treat and supervise drug-addicted criminals
and combat drug-related crime.

Circuit Court Judge Westbrook J. Parker has visited drug courts in
Portsmouth and Charlottesville and is researching how to establish a
Suffolk court.

More planning is needed, he said, to determine the budget and identify
eligible defendants. But a drug court could be in place next year, the
judge said.

``I'm very committed to it, as are the other judges,'' Parker
said.

Drug courts combine substance abuse treatment, intense supervision and
the potential of sanctions such as jail or prison to help defendants
get their lives on track.

Dade County, Fla., founded the nation's first drug court in 1989.
Currently, 683 drug courts are operating around the country, said
Caroline Cooper, director of the Drug Court Clearinghouse and
Technical Assistance Project at American University. An additional 424
courts are in planning stages, she said.

The courts reduced the likelihood defendants would commit more crimes
and had unexpected benefits, she said. Defendants got jobs again,
regained custody of their children and went back to school.

Roanoke started Virginia's first drug court in 1995.

Today, 11 drug courts operate in Virginia, said Francine Ecker of the
state Department of Criminal Justice Services. More are under
development; a drug court conference last month in Charlottesville
drew close to 300 people, Ecker said.

Drug courts convene in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Newport News. The
programs are fairly new; Norfolk's started in 1998.

Virginia Beach began a program in its District Court last year. The
city is seeking federal funds to establish drug courts in Juvenile and
Domestic Relations and Circuit Court, said Janice York, case manager
of the District Court program.

About 30 people who have been found guilty of misdemeanors are
involved in the yearlong program in Virginia Beach, said York. ``We're
getting referrals every day,'' she said.

Offenders typically admit guilt to misdemeanor charges such as drunken
driving and must volunteer for drug court, she said. A treatment plan
dictates how they will combat their addiction, even noting how often
they must attend meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Those who
relapse or otherwise slip up face sanctions.

Those who finish, as 11 did last year, get a certificate and the
judge's congratulations in a ``graduation'' ceremony.

Many of the 40 or so participants in Norfolk's drug court could
potentially face years in prison if they wash out of the programs,
said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Felte. Those who complete
the program seem less likely to commit new crimes, though some do
relapse, Felte said.

In Portsmouth, a fledgling program has 18 participants so far, said
Ethel Weaver, the drug treatment court administrator. Some
participants welcome the structure the program demands, she said:
daily contact, frequent drug tests and the requirement that they be
employed.

``It's rewarding to hear some of the participants say how much it's
helping them,'' Weaver said.

In Suffolk Circuit Court last week, Parker told a young defendant
appearing on a probation violation that he would be an ideal candidate
for drug court. In an interview, the judge said many defendants
violate probation because of substance abuse.

Drug court, he said, would combine concern and intense supervision
with the threat of sanctions for those who continue to abuse drugs. A
positive drug test, for instance, could result in an automatic jail
stay.

``It's an intensive effort to make the man or woman know, `We really
are behind you; we're concerned about your problem,' '' Parker said.
``But we're also looking over your shoulder intensely.''

Suffolk Public Defender Timothy Miller said drugs drive many crimes in
Suffolk. ``A lot of our offenses now are directly a result of the use
of controlled substances,'' he said. He added, ``I would say the vast
majority of our clients have substance abuse problems.''

A drug court could provide support for defendants who otherwise have
trouble kicking an addiction, he said. ``Sometimes, all a person needs
is a pat on the back,'' he said.

Suffolk Commonwealth's Attorney C. Phillips Ferguson said he would
need to consider a concrete plan before weighing in on drug court. But
he warned that such courts are ``no panacea.''

``What I would oppose would be a situation if the drug court would be
used for more lenient treatment for offenders,'' Ferguson said.

The city had considered a drug court years ago and in the end chose
not to implement one, he said.