DRUG COURT ALTERNATIVE

Pinellas County judicial and law enforcement officials deserve praise for
establishing a drug court that will divert drug-addicted defendants charged
with non-violent crimes to treatment facilities rather than prison.

Pinellas wasn't the first to take this progressive step; the concept was
developed by Janet Reno when she was Dade County's state attorney. In the
Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough and Citrus counties have already established
their own drug courts. But Pinellas officials showed a refreshing ability
to work together to create their innovative program.

A drug court had been discussed for years, but court officials said they
needed more judges and a secure drug-treatment facility to make it work.
Last year, the Legislature approved two new judges for the circuit, so
Chief Judge Susan Schaeffer said she could free up Judge Lauren Laughlin to
run the drug court.

A committee led by St. Petersburg Police Chief Goliath Davis III came up
with the idea of a secure drug treatment facility, and the City Council
bought a vacant nursing home to house it. The city is in the process of
selling the building to Bridges of America, which will renovate it and
operate the 75-bed facility. All of the key officials -- Schaeffer, State
Attorney Bernie McCabe, Sheriff Everett Rice and Public Defender Bob
Dillinger -- support the plan.

Details are still being worked out, but beginning in January some
defendants will be sent to drug court rather than to the regular criminal
court. Those charged with drug possession will be considered; defendants
facing a violent crime or drug trafficking charge will be excluded.
Depending on the severity of the their drug problem, defendants will be
required either to attend counseling sessions or to stay at the treatment
facility.

In reclaiming the lives of substance abusers, an effective drug court can
benefit the overall community as well. Those sentenced through drug court
will be required to continue their education, work and meet their financial
obligations. They will take frequent drug tests and return to court
periodically to show the judge they are making progress. Defendants who
violate the agreement will be sent to prison.

"We hope the Pinellas County Drug Court will meet a growing local need to
address drug-related crime, using drug treatment as a method of turning
criminal drug addicts into productive, drug-free citizens of our
community," Schaeffer said.

That has been the dream. Establishing a drug court is a big step toward
making it a reality.