DRUG COURT FUNDED

The Guernsey County Common Pleas Court recently received a $20,000 grant
from the local Department of Job and Family Services to assist with
operating its drug court.

A drug court is a special court given the responsibility to handle cases
involving drug and alcohol addicted offenders through extensive
supervision and treatment programs.

The local drug court currently has five individuals participating in the
program with an additional five cases pending. The grant will enable the
drug court to serve an additional 10 individuals.

"It is a reasonable estimate at the pace cases are coming before the court
to say we will have 20 to 40 drug court cases by the end of the year,"
said Guernsey County Common Pleas Court Judge David A. Ellwood.

The grant will providing funding for individuals who qualify for
assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program,
which requires participants to meet an established income guideline.

"But, that doesn't mean we will only put individuals who are TANF eligible
into the drug court program," said Ellwood.

The grant runs from Oct. 1, 2007, through the start of the next grant
funding period, according to Ellwood.

The primary goal of the drug court is to provide non-violent, chemically
dependent offenders and those who have a high likelihood of becoming
chemically dependent with the necessary tools and life skills to live
drug and alcohol free lives.

Utilizing the resources of the justice system, Alcohol and Drug Services
of Guernsey County and other area treatment agencies, the drug court
strives to move drug offenders out of the revolving door of crime and
drug abuse.

Through sanctions and incentive programs, the program gives offenders an
opportunities to learn how to lead productive, sober lives.

Drug court sanctions include increased drug court appearances, urine
screens and levels of treatment; community service; residential treatment;
house arrest; case management; written essays; and incarceration in jail
or the Eastern Ohio Correction Center.

Individuals who wish to learn more about the drug court program can call
the court at 432-9255.