3 COUNTIES GET GRANTS FOR DRUG COURTS

DuPage, McHenry and Will Counties have been awarded federal grants to plan
special criminal drug courts aimed at reducing repeat offenders through
court-ordered treatment.

President Clinton, in his weekend radio address, announced the awarding of
$27 million to 150 court jurisdictions to assist them in implementing drug
courts.

DuPage County is to receive $21,330, McHenry County will get $27,000 and
Will County will get $30,000, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 1995, the federal government began the drug court program. Proponents
say forced education and treatment reduce the chance that a drug abuser
will continue to enter the legal system, thereby saving money.

Drug courts, such as Cook County's night drug court, were established in
some metropolitan areas a decade ago to handle large numbers of cases
efficiently. But studies showed that drug courts aimed at helping offenders
also can reduce drug use.

A drug court provides closer supervision of drug offenders, including
frequent drug testing and monitoring.

Clinton also announced a $398,600 grant to Macon County and a $200,000
grant to Kankakee County for their current drug court programs.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)