DRUG COURT STARTS UP IN COAHOMA COUNTY

Local court authorities will render a sobering justice to certain
chemically dependent criminals with the launch of a new drug court program
this week.

Already active in Bolivar County, the Coahoma County branch of the 11th
Judicial District Drug Court Program met for the first time Wednesday.
Program advocates said it will save taxpayers thousands of dollars in
costly trials and prison terms by rerouting drug users through the program
for rehabilitation instead of just sending them to jail. "This program
seems to help people get over addictions better," said Circuit Court Judge
Larry O. Lewis, who is helping implement the drug court. "It helps train
these people to re-enter the society as productive, taxpaying citizens."
Drug court participants will benefit from treatment, counseling, sanctions,
incentives, and frequent court appearances. If they complete the program,
court officials could dismiss charges, or reduce or waive sentences,
according to guidelines established by the Mississippi Supreme Court. It is
open to people charged with a crime motivated by an underlying drug
addiction, said Rebecca Cochran, court administrator for Circuit Court
Judge Al Smith and co-coordinator of the local drug court program. Not all
criminally charged drug users will qualify for the program, however.
According to state legislation, people charged with a violent crime or
burglary of an occupied dwelling cannot participate, nor can those who are
suspected of dealing drugs. Participants also must not have been charged
with killing someone while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In most cases, defense attorneys will identify likely candidates for the
program and "sell" the idea to their clients, Cochran said. "Some of them
won't want to do it because there are drug tests once or twice a week, they
have to meet with mental health counselors, do community service work -
there are a lot of strict guidelines they have to follow," said Circuit
Court Judge Al Smith. "This is not a free ride." Local attorney Allan
Shackelford said that drug use was a contributing factor in about 80
percent of his clients' crimes. If the District Attorney's office accepts a
candidate's application, representatives from Region One Mental Health
Center will conduct a mental evaluation, and a background check will be
done. Then drug court leaders, who will meet twice monthly, will vote to
accept or deny each candidate for the program, which lasts between 18
months and two years, Cochran said. Once accepted, the participant will pay
all program costs, including treatment, a $100 entry fee and a $200 exit
fee, Smith said. "It's a lot cheaper than one of the bails," Smith said
when asked how participants were expected to pay. "They always manage to
come up with bail money, so they should be able to find money for this."
Currently, the fledgling program operates without any seed or grant monies,
Lewis said, adding that he was applying for several grants. Both Smith and
Lewis said they hoped for donations from the community to fund the program.
"I hope the community or maybe the county will help pay for the program
once they see how much money is saved by it," Lewis said. Smith also added
that companies that hire program graduates will receive tax incentives.