BUSINESSES ASKED TO HELP DRUG COURT

"This county isn't without its share of criminal activity," Judge
Randall N. Skanchy of Third District Court told chamber members
Wednesday. "I know it all too well."

Judge Skanchy estimates around 80 percent of criminal activity relates
back to drugs and alcohol abuse & that's why he's such an advocate of
drug court.

The intensive drug treatment program has a much higher success rate
than traditional programs. And that success could go a long way toward
preventing crime.

"If we could eliminate drugs and alcohol as catalysts for crime it
would help tremendously," Skanchy said.

After describing the merits of the program, which has no public
funding, Judge Skanchy asked businesses for support. While he said he
was not there to solicit money, he said assistance could be as small
as donating key chains or other items to reward participants for
success, or as big as being willing to hire graduates of the program.

The judge said he firmly believes work helps prevent regression for
graduates.

Plus, added Skanchy, with drug tests required of the graduates three
to four times a week, businesses are essentially guaranteed a
drug-free employee.

At the end of Judge Skanchy's presentation, Joyce Hogan of Envirocare,
said while Judge Skanchy didn't feel it was appropriate to ask
business leaders for money, she would ask for him. She set the example
by presenting a $1,000 check from Envirocare.

Drug Court, which triples the success rates of traditional treatment
programs, requires participants, their families or friends to come up
with the $1,700 fee if they want to participate. Judge Skanchy
believes this increases participants' commitment to finish the program
and overcome their drug habit successfully.

"Ultimately, if these families are investing in this project, it works
for the good," he said.

At the same time, program leaders would love to offer loans to those
who truly cannot afford to pay, but would like to enter the program.
Those loans would need to be repaid sometime after graduation. The
money repaid would be used to fund another participant in the program,
who would also be required to repay the money.

Currently, Judge Skanchy and other program leaders volunteer much of
their own time and resources.

As a result, Tooele's participant fee of approximately $1,700 is $500
to $1,000 cheaper than other programs across the nation. Tooele's
program's efficiency is further illustrated by the fact that the
program in Salt Lake City has federal funding, but still costs more
that the local drug program.

Another benefit of the Tooele program is that it reduces the time
participants spend in jail or prison, which costs taxpayers $25,000 a
year.

Graduates are less likely to return to jail or prison in the future
according to national statistics. Tooele's drug court is still too new
for its effectiveness to be measured. But, of the first six graduates
if the Tooele Drug Court, only one has been re-arrested and the arrest
of that person was not related to drugs or alcohol.

Skanchy said the system's traditional approach, which includes jail or
prison, then probation, isn't working. Only about half of parolees
ordered to undergo private treatment, actually show up. Of those, less
than half complete the program for the 90 days required for it to be
effective.

As a result, drug abusers continue their habit and end up back in
overcrowded jails and prisons.

"We don't have room (for drug addicits in jail), nor should we," Judge
Skanchy said.

His philosophy is, "We should put in prison and jail people we're
afraid of, and other people we're mad at we should find treatment
programs for."

That's coming from a judge who says his nickname is the 365-day judge,
because since serving in Tooele he gives maximum sentences when he
can, filling up the Tooele County Detention Center.

But for those willing, Judge Skanchy has implemented a better way. In
November 2003, he started the drug court in Tooele. Judge Skanchy had
previously worked with the drug court in Salt Lake City.

In order to participate, drug users in the Tooele County jail undergo
an initial assessment. For instance, those who have committed violent
crimes are not eligible.

In addition to scrutinizing an individual's criminal history, a
drug-use history is taken and evaluated.

Offenders who qualify are required to attend an orientation where drug
court's requirements are presented. They can choose if they want to
enter the program, which requires substantially more effort than
prison or jail time. Completion of the program will mean the felony
will not go on their record.

While Judge Skanchy admits not all who enter the program actually want
to break their drug habit, the program is long enough that
participants start feeling good about themselves, their progress and
realize they're succeeding.

Since not all initially want to kick the habit, he calls it a
successful "court of coercion."

Judge Skanchy is critical of quick intensive drug treatment programs,
saying they don't work. He said it takes time for drug addicts to
become free enough of the drug's influence to be able to think
straight again.

During the first 12 weeks, participants make a weekly appearance
before Judge Skanchy to report on their success. Throughout the
program participants attend regular group therapy sessions and
Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) or similar group meetings. Random drug
testing continues throughout the program. At first, tests average four
times per week per participant. Plus, participants must complete at
least 90 hours of community service throughout the program.

Drug court takes at least one year to complete, but most participants
find they need to be in the program for 18 to 24 months. It is
expected that due to the severe nature of each participant's
addiction, there will be relapses. When relapses occur, the judge
often imposes jail time. Individuals sometimes have to begin drug
court phases all over following incarceration.

After completion, each participant makes a final court appearance
prior to graduation ceremonies.

Skanchy said at their recent graduation ceremonies he had moms come up
thanking him for saving their child's life.

"The fact is drugs kill people," Skanchy said.

Drug courts were started in the United States only a decade ago when a
group of concerned leaders in Miami noticed that the criminal justice
system was unable to adequately address drug addiction or combat the
crime the problem causes. Tooele's program is modeled after the
program in Salt Lake City, but no two programs are identical
throughout the nation.

For more information contact drug court treatment provider Terry Bates
at (435) 496-0248 or (801) 508-7843.