DRUG COURTS NEED LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT

As legislative budget negotiations ratchet up in intensity, state funding
for drug courts -- an almost minuscule line item in terms of dollars but not
in value -- is perilously close to disappearing from the radar in Olympia.

Only a Herculean effort by the House, whose 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans
agree on something for once, will ensure that $1.2 million for treatment
services in four counties be included in the final package sent to Gov. Gary
Locke.

Although individual drug courts differ in some aspects, they share these
purposes:

- - reducing drug use and the criminal behaviors related to it;

- - freeing up judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys for non-drug
prosecution;

- - concentrating in one courtroom a wealth of expertise about drugs, and
helping defendants begin anew by treating them holistically.

It's shameful that the appropriation was left out of the biennial budget
adopted last session. Again this year it's in limbo because of stalwart
opposition by the Senate's chief budget writer, Pasco Democrat Valoria
Loveland.

Loveland's contention that the state shouldn't have to fund what is
essentially a county duty is beyond myopic. It promises to decimate the
fledgling drug courts in King, Spokane, Pierce and Clallam counties, which
have been both innovative and cost-effective.

While drug courts cost more to operate initially, they return the investment
through reduced recidivism of offenders. For every dollar spent on drug
courts, taxpayers save $2.45.

Highly pertinent to the state's assumption of this duty -- federal startup
money has lapsed -- is the fact that the dollars drug courts save in fewer
prison terms accrue to the state Department of Corrections. It's no wonder
that Corrections Secretary Joseph Lehman is supportive.

The suggestion that the counties can simply make up the difference is overly
simplistic in the wake of Initiative 695, which has drastically reduced the
amount of the state revenue they receive. At least in the short term, while
I-695's economic baggage is sorted out, the state ought to ante up this
paltry amount to rescue these model drug courts.