SOME FIRST-TIME DRUG OFFENDERS TO HAVE OPTION OF DRUG EDUCATION
PROGRAM

The Mecklenburg County court system has a new program designed to help
minor drug offenders get help for substance abuse problems and avoid
prosecution and criminal records.

The Drug Education School is part of the DA's office deferred
prosecution program. Underway since January, the program allows
defendants, generally first-time offenders, to avoid convictions if
they abide by certain rules.

Under the program, defendants issued citations for certain drug
offenses can have their charges dismissed if they complete 15 hours of
drug education.

The offenses eligible for the new deferred prosecution program include
simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana drug
paraphernalia, public consumption, intoxicated and disruptive behavior
and purchase or possession of alcohol or cigarettes by an underage
person.

"Some of these offenses - a joint of marijuana, a beer where you're
not supposed to have it - we couldn't afford to give them a lot of
court or probation time," said Mecklenburg Deputy District Attorney
Bart Menser. "It seemed to make a lot of sense to get these people
some drug education."

Anyone issued a citation for no more than two of the offenses can
apply for the Drug Education School. Defendants must be screened for
acceptance into the program.

Screenings are Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. in Room G50 in the
basement of the old county courthouse at 700 East Trade St.

It could take up to two hours to complete the paperwork and talk to a
program representative.

Defendants will be given time to complete the Drug Education School
before their trial dates.

Defendants on supervised probation or deferred prosecution are not
eligible. Defendants will only be able to participate in the Drug
Education School once.

Defendants approved for the program must attend one class a week for
five consecutive weeks. The cost is $150. Payment must be made before
the first class.

Those who successfully complete the program will have their charges
dismissed. The charges will not appear on their records as a
conviction. Those who fail to complete the program will be prosecuted.