DRUG COURT A WORTHWHILE PROJECT

The problem of repeat drug and alcohol offenders in the court system is
bigger than most people can imagine.

But Blue Earth County is working to do something about it, and is to be
commended for its plan to start a drug court.

Drug court works much like intensive probation. Eligible drug and alcohol
offenders enrolled in the program will meet weekly with Judge Kurt Johnson
and a drug court team. Johnson will measure their progress and they will
have to meet certain requirements.

The goal is to ultimately save the county - and taxpayers - money. Johnson
said courts are often a revolving door, with the same offenders turning up
again and again. Drug court is aimed at giving people a chance to get out
of that cycle.

The program, which will be funded by a federal grant and county funds, has
shown in some places to be cheaper than locking repeat offenders behind bars.

These are not just drug abusers. While methamphetamine use and sales have
been on the rise in the area, Johnson said 75 percent to 80 percent of the
cases he sees are somehow related to alcohol.

And who pays for it when these people go to court? Taxpayers.

That is why approaches like drug court are important. Officials recognized
the problem and are acting. They deserve credit for doing so.

The drug court will be in place by later this year. It will give offenders
a chance to turn themselves around, and at the same time free up valuable
jail space and save tax dollars.