DRUG COURT - PERSISTENCE HELPS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE FIGHT

The local effort to develop a drug court program reveals the persistent
attention needed to reduce substance abuse in Pitt County. The Pitt County
Sheriff's Office is now awaiting word on a $400,000 grant that would go to
start a system in which nonviolent, drug-addicted offenders would go
through an extensive supervision and treatment initiative, including
sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances. This effort began in
cooperation with the Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition, a voluntary
group of community leaders who hope to help young people reject tobacco,
alcohol and drugs.

In exchange for successful completion of the program, the drug court may
dismiss the original charge, reduce or set aside a sentence, offer a lesser
penalty or a combination. Offenders can choose between the drug courts and
traditional sentencing, and they can be removed from the program for
certain infractions, such as committing new crimes, failing urine tests or
missing scheduled treatment meetings.

The idea is to relieve pressure on the traditional court system and to
increase consistency and accountability in the treatment of these
offenders. Costs also are affected.

A Minnesota study showed a $30.8 million savings in that state sending drug
offenders to treatment programs instead of prison. As of November 2003,
1,093 drug courts operated in the United States, and 414 more were in the
planning phases.

Drug courts in 10 North Carolina counties have operated for more than two
years, while seven counties have begun drug courts, and four others have
started planning for them.

The Substance Abuse Coalition also has applied for a $100,000 federal grant
to help keep the media, county and public informed about substance abuse
issues. The coalition must match the grant dollar for dollar with
contributions from local media outlets, including time, advertisements,
public service announcements and other considerations. "This starts with
persistent attention and it makes a difference in outcomes," coalition
chairman Dr. David Ames said.

This attention, this focus, this awareness - emerging from a grassroots
initiative and pursued officially - offers a needed path for community
success against one of any community's most difficult problems.