INNOVATIVE COURT NEEDED, HELPFUL

Reader

In response to Dennis L. Howard's letter in the March 31 News-Leader
regarding drug court: As a former probation officer who has worked with the
Greene County Drug Court, I can attest to the overwhelming success of the
program. I have worked with individuals in drug court treatment as well as
those court-ordered into private treatment in the community. The
overwhelming difference between these two approaches is communication and
accountability.

In drug court, the participant's probation officer and treatment counselor
communicate almost daily and the court is kept apprised of the individual's
progress on a weekly basis. The probation officer's caseload is smaller and
more manageable, ensuring that the participant will be supervised at a more
intensive level.

The benefit of having the participant appear before the judge on a weekly
basis, with his treatment team present, shows him that he has a group of
individuals there to support him and also hold him accountable for his
actions. If a participant uses drugs or alcohol, or commits a criminal
offense while in the program, action can be taken immediately.

While it is true that this method of treatment is not appropriate for
everybody, individuals who qualify for drug court are accepted based on the
belief that they would benefit and are in need of the close supervision,
intensive treatment and legal accountability that drug court provides.

Not only would I support officials that supported innovative programs such
as drug court, mental health court and DWI court, I would ensure that they
were dedicated advocates before casting my vote.

Danielle Buzbee, Ozark