A DRUG COURT SOUNDS PROMISING

But Kanawha's New Venture Must Prove Effective And
Inexpensive

KANAWHA Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker is heading efforts to
establish a drug court by July 1. Such a court would handle adults
charged with non-violent drug crimes.

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Joe Manchin said he wanted
$2.5 million to start eight new drug courts, including one in Kanawha
County. The state has two other drug courts in Cabell and Wayne counties.

Certainly, housing drug addicts in jail without treatment is
expensive and unproductive.

"It's easy to lock people up, and they are gone," the judge said.
"But they come back. And they are not getting the rehabilitation they
need."

Perhaps the drug court can help. The State Police report that in
2005, the county suffered more than 1,500 narcotics crimes. The
volume of drug crimes shows the need for alternatives to jail or prison.

But Walker brought up something else that is not so
simple.

"People eligible for drug court may be making meth. They may be
selling cocaine," she said. "But they are also involved in breaking
and entering, credit card forgery, anything to get money for more
drugs."

While one can see drug abuse as a reason someone commits, say, credit
card fraud, that does not negate the seriousness of the crime.
Probation and rehab alone are small solace for those who were ripped
off - be they individuals or credit card companies.

Still, the drug court approach is promising.

Drug addicts will be placed on close supervision - including weekly
appearances before a circuit judge. Rehabilitation and re-training
will be musts.

"It will be a very intensive look at these individuals," Walker said.
"It will include close accountability. We want them to work, to
receive training, to get drivers' licenses, a GED. We want them to
support their families."

The approach is worth trying. But proponents had better be able to
show real savings and real safety.

Kanawha County residents were promised that family courts would save
money. Instead a whole new branch of the judiciary was created.