GRADUATION HELD FOR DRUG COURT

Court officials, family members and friends celebrated a "day of
thanksgiving" Monday as Drug Court participants graduated from one phase of
the rehabilitation program to the next or exited the program altogether.

Supreme Court Justice Kay Cobb, the ceremony's featured speaker, said
witnessing the graduation was "an incredible experience."

"I'm seeing something that's real, something that's changed people's lives
for the better," Cobb told an overflow circuit courtroom audience Monday
afternoon.

Cobb praised 14th Circuit Court Judge Keith Starrett for implementing and
leading the state in Drug Court efforts. She said it was "inspiring."

"It's so good to know some things in the criminal justice system are
producing worthwhile results, and this one certainly is," Cobb said.

Drug Court is a four-phase program including drug treatment and periodic
reporting to Judge Starrett. Phase 1 is a treatment program; Phase II is
weekly visits before the judge; Phase III is monthly reporting and Phase IV
is non-reporting.

On Monday, certificates were presented to 18 who had completed Phase II, 21
Phase III and 22 Phase IV. Also, three people were recognized for their
efforts to stay sober in the DUI Drug Court program in Pike County.

For some participants leaving the Drug Court program, Starrett said another
benefit is that their criminal records will be cleared. Some offenses, the
judge said, cannot be removed.

Jan Kincade, of Brookhaven, was one of the 22 leaving the program.

In November, Kincade said she would have been in Drug Court five years after
admitting to obtaining Hydrocodone by misrepresentation. She proudly
displayed both her graduate certificate and the court order clearing her
record.

"It says expunged. I'm so excited," Kincade said.

Starrett pointed out that Drug Court graduates going into Phases III and IV
had paid a combined $170,000 toward their fines, fees and restitution.

"Drug Court is not a free ride," Starrett said.

Chancery Court Judge Ed Patten, a former law school classmate who introduced
Cobb, commended family members for their encouragement of Drug Court
participants.

"It takes a tremendous amount of support to go through this program and be a
success," Patten said.

Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps was also
present for Monday's graduation ceremonies. Citing national statistics, Epps
said 15 percent of those incarcerated are in jail for crimes other than
drugs, but they were committed in an effort to get drugs.

"Mississippi is no different," Epps said.

Epps said Drug Courts is a good program that is producing good results. He
is in the process of helping several counties implement their own Drug Court
programs.

"I'd like to have Drug Courts in all 82 counties, but we don't have enough
money to develop them for all 82 counties," Epps said.