JUDGES CONSIDER DRUG COURT

Hope Ministry Asks For Help From $245,000 Frozen For Possible Court

During the past 16 months, judges of the Floyd County Superior Court
have earmarked more than $245,000 in fines to start a new drug treatment court.

Chief Judge Walter J. Matthews said they are still gathering data on
similar courts in other jurisdictions but could be ready next year
with a proposal for the Floyd County Commission.

"We're still trying to decide if we want to establish one, but we
don't want to spend all that money and then ask the county for
everything," Matthews said.

The money comes from add-on fines paid into a County Drug Abuse
Treatment and Education fund authorized by state law. County
commissioners can tap a DATE fund to pay for any drug treatment or
education program, but Matthews signed a court order freezing the
Floyd County fund in February 2004.

Last week the County Commission suggested Hope Ministry ask Matthews
to release some of the money for its parolee and probationer
community re-entry program. Officials with the volunteer ministry
sought $10,000 from the commission to help fund its rehabilitative services.

Commissioners also said some of Sheriff Tim Burkhalter's plans to
upgrade security in the courthouse might be funded with DATE
money. Burkhalter said he wants to buy a new X-ray machine,
estimated at $30,000, and staff the entrance with armed guards.

Matthews said Friday that security improvements are not eligible for
DATE funding under state law. The Hope Ministry program is, and he
said he would consider it, but the judges are leery of opening the floodgates.

"I'm not saying we wouldn't help, but we don't want to let that money
dribble away," Matthews said. "Funds are hard to come by ( for a
drug court ), and we want to be fiscally responsible."

Drug treatment courts are operating in several circuits, including
Cobb County, Brunswick, Macon, Gainesville and Dalton. They
typically are reserved for first-time drug offenders not charged with
other serious crimes.

Instead of prison, offenders are sentenced to treatment, group
programs, work or job training, drug testing several times a week and
a weekly appearance before the drug court judge.

"They're intended to catch people who might benefit from
rehabilitation and divert them from the system, as long as they
comply with pretty strict requirements," Matthews said.

The testing, intensive attention and additional judge would cost more
than the $245,436.53 in the fund as of June 28, but Matthews said a
drug court could benefit the county in the long run. There are
several ways the program could be tailored to local needs, he said,
and the judges are monitoring the effectiveness of existing courts
before they decide whether to seek the support of the County Commission.