JUDGES URGE APPROVAL OF DRUG COURTS

JACKSON - Judges are urging Gov. Haley Barbour to sign legislation that
would provide money for a statewide system of drug courts.

Lawmakers approved the final version of the bill this week. It would
provide a stable source of funding for current drug courts as well as some
new ones, backers said.

The bill would add a $10 assessment for drug court operations to fines for
felonies, traffic offenses, DUI, game and fish violations and litter
violations, and an $8 special assessment to other misdemeanors. Supporters
said these would bring in about $5 million a year.

Eleven drug courts operate in the state and five more are planned.

Hinds County Judge Mike Parker, who presides over drug court, said they
produce good results.

He said people's lives are changed and those who would otherwise be a tax
burden in jail become productive, taxpaying citizens, many of them
supporting families.

"This translates to real people in a huge way," Parker said in a news
release. "To me, this is the best money I've ever seen spent in the court
system, because I've seen the results."