PROPOSAL TO EXPAND DRUG COURTS GAINING SUPPORT FROM LAWMAKERS OF BOTH PARTIES

Proponents Say Program Saves Money, Saves Lives

JACKSON - A proposal to expand drug courts statewide is winning support
from an unusual coalition of lawmakers - black and white, Democrat and
Republican.

"Drug court saves money. It saves lives. It saves families. It saves
communities," said Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson. A study released Monday by
state Auditor Phil Bryant says Mississippi could save $5.4 million a year
if 500 people successfully complete drug court programs instead of going to
prison.

"This is not 'soft on crime.' This is a program that works," Bryant said
during a news conference at the Capitol in Jackson.

Some circuit, county and youth court judges already are running drug court
programs on their own and covering expenses with grant money. Participants
in the programs go through drug treatment and other programs in hopes of
reducing penalties they might face for criminal charges.

Bills filed this session would help create statewide standards for drug
courts. The bills would provide $475,000 for the state Administrative
Office of the Courts to hire four people to help with the program. There is
no money to create new judgeships or to hire more staff members for judges
already on the bench.

Money is tight this session, and legislative leaders have said there is
little chance of new programs being created. Proponents say the state would
save more than it would spend.

"The drug court saves lives and it saves money," said Rep. Jim Barnett,
D-Brookhaven, who has watched drug court sessions in his home county.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Edwin Pittman also supports expansion of drug
court programs.

Circuit Judge Margaret Carey-McCray, whose district covers Washington,
Sunflower and Leflore counties, said she had been in office only three
weeks in 1999 when she saw a need for drug courts.

She said she had studied the system in Florida and saw that it helped
people straighten out their lives.