SHERIFF'S OFFICE EYES GRANT TO IMPLEMENT DRUG COURT PROGRAM

Pitt County's Sheriff Office Has Requested A Federal Grant That May Change
The County's Court System.

The department submitted an application seeking $400,000 over three
years to begin a drug court program, a system in which nonviolent
drug-addicted offenders go through an extensive supervision and
treatment initiative that includes sanctions, incentives and frequent
court appearances. The sheriff's office began the effort with
cooperation from the Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition, a
voluntary group of community advocates and leaders who hope to help
young people reject tobacco, alcohol and drugs. "This starts with
persistent attention and it makes a difference in outcomes," coalition
chairman Dr. David Ames said.

The department sent its request two months ago and is hoping for get a
reply early this summer, Melissa Larson, a grant writer with the
sheriff's office, said. In exchange for successful completion of the
the program, the court may dismiss the original charge, reduce or set
aside a sentence, offer some lesser penalty or a combination of these.

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. "You're not going to see success
in 30 days," Sheriff Mac Manning said. "These are things you hope will
have an impact years down the line." Drug courts rely on the daily
communication and cooperation of judges, court personnel, probation
and treatment providers.

One judge sees each case, providing consistency while forcing the
offenders to become more accountable.

"Certainly when you consider the cost of incarceration and the cost of
abjudicating someone who is in a repeat pattern of behavior," Manning
said, "any successes there are going to add up to a lot of monies not
having to be spent for other ways we traditionally deal with them." A
Minnesota study showed the state saved $30.8 million by 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.

All 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, one
federal district and 52 tribal courts have operational drug court
programs. Drug courts in 10 counties, including a Cherokee tribal
court, have operated for more than two years in North Carolina, and
seven other counties have begun drug courts more recently.

Four other counties have started planning for the courts, Larson said.
The Substance Abuse Coalition also has applied for a $100,000 federal
grant, funds that would enable the group to 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,
Ames said. Some of the funds would likely help warn the county's
citizens about methamphetamine labs, a growing concern in the area,
Ames said. Dr. John Morrow, Pitt County Health Department director,
already has agreed to lead a response, using a media campaign to
notify the public.

The coalition, which plans to meet again June 30, recognizes the
community is needed to help inform authorities of suspicious activity.

"We can't find these people without neighbors telling us," Ames said.