LOCAL COURTS TO HOST PILOT MISDEMEANOR DRUG COURT PROGRAM

Madison and Clark district courts will host a pilot program to treat
drug addiction, the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts
announced Wednesday.

Madison District Judge Earl-Ray Neal will oversee a Drug Court
program for misdemeanor offenders in the 25th Judicial District,
which covers Madison and Clark counties.

Neal is volunteering his time to conduct the biweekly Drug Court
sessions, and credited judges Brandy O. Brown and Charles Hardin for
their help with the program.

"Drug Courts in Madison and Clark counties at the juvenile and felony
court level have been a shining example of Kentucky's success in
specialty courts," Neal said. "This expansion will allow us to reach
a greater number of people and to reach them earlier in their addiction."

Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue presides over the felony Drug
Court for Madison and Clark counties, and credited Neal with helping
to bring the program to the district court level.

"This program will work in conjunction with the felony Drug Court
program to reach people earlier before their drug addiction problems
lead them to commit serious crimes," Logue said.

"The new misdemeanor Drug Court will provide our community with a
positive tool to address the ever growing drug problem. I look
forward to working with Judge Neal in expanding and improving our
Drug Court program," Logue said.

Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins said he believes the program
will serve the needs of people suffering from drug addiction.

"I am very pleased that a misdemeanor Drug Court program will soon be
operational in our district," Robbins said. "This should allow us to
reach offenders whose conduct has not risen to the felony level, but
who still suffer from serious addictions."

Clark County Attorney Brian Thomas is similarly excited about the
program.

"I am excited about the implementation of a misdemeanor drug court
which can be utilized to assist in helping those who suffer from
addiction to illegal drugs and prescription medication break that
cycle and get assistance," Thomas said. "This program will be another
weapon in the arsenal against drug use and drug abuse and will allow
us to intervene at a district court level to provide accountability,
treatment and hope to those who suffer from this addiction."

Neal will conduct Drug Court meetings in both Richmond and
Winchester, and the program will begin accepting referrals this
month. The program is being funded by a grant from the Bureau of
Justice Administration.

Audrey Posvic, who serves as coordinator for felony Drug Court in
Madison and Clark counties, also will coordinate the misdemeanor program.