THE DRUG COURT ALTERNATIVE

IT'S an unwelcome distinction that Oklahoma imprisons more women per capita
than any other state in the nation. But there might be a way to change that,
and help a lot of women in the process. A recent task force report found
that women participating in a drug court program as an alternative to prison
often fare better than their male counterparts. The women's paychecks
increase at a much greater pace, a higher percentage of women gain full-time
employment during the course of the program and recidivism is less compared
with drug offenders on traditional probation.

Oklahoma has drug courts in more than two dozen counties and more are
planned. Participants, typically first-time and nonviolent offenders, must
obtain their high school education, get a job or be in school and pass
periodic drug tests to graduate. In exchange, their sentences typically are
delayed or deferred.

The time spent in the program is tough, with constant monitoring from law
enforcement officials. But it allows men and women a second chance if they
can kick their addictions. Graduates extol the program for saving them from
an uncertain future.

Taxpayers share in the benefit. State officials have said incarceration
costs about $16,000 a year compared to $5,000 for the drug court.

This alternative appears to be a good one. It should be expanded, and law
enforcement officials should continue using this route when appropriate
instead of adding to an already large prison population.