RAMSEY NIXES ROLE IN DRUG COURT

CLINTON - Anderson County District Attorney General Jim Ramsey has served
notice he's dropping out of a drug court training program, putting plans
for such a court in jeopardy.

"I've decided it's not workable," Ramsey said of the proposed drug court.
"It's just another court, another bureaucracy, without any more resources."

Kelly Dagenhart, president of the county's Remove Intoxicated Drivers
chapter and a leader in a lengthy effort to launch a drug court in Anderson
County, said Tuesday that he was "very disappointed" in Ramsey's decision.

Dagenhart said Ramsey was supposed to participate in drug court training in
March.

U.S. Department of Justice funding for drug court training hinges on having
a "complete (drug court) team," said Dagenhart. "Without the district
attorney, we don't have a complete team."

Ramsey, in a Feb. 7 letter, told drug court team leader Judge James B.
"Buddy" Scott he was quitting the team.

Ramsey, in the letter, said state law provides adequate provisions for drug
offenders that range from treatment programs while on probation to jail for
repeat offenders.

A drug court would divert prosecution of offenders and delay final
judgments, which would result in "unacceptable" risks such as the loss of
evidence and witnesses, Ramsey said in the letter.

Dagenhart said drug courts are now in place "in 30 percent of the courts in
Tennessee and the nation and are producing superior results to anything
that's in existence now."

Dagenhart said drug courts, which feature a strict program of intensive
treatment, drug testing and supervision, have sharply reduced repeat drug
offenses. Knox County operates a drug court.

Anderson County has received funding for drug court training but hasn't
received a grant to start a drug court.