DRUG COURT WORKING HERE, IDEA CATCHING ON

It's good to see the McComb area on the cutting edge of a good thing that's
catching on statewide.

This newspaper previously has reported in detail on the success of the drug
court started in Pike, Lincoln and Walthall counties by Circuit Judge Keith
Starrett. A number of drug addicts, charged with felonies, have had their
lives rehabilitated through receiving treatment and adhering to tough
standards in the program rather than going to prison.

The drug court has saved money but more importantly it has saved lives.

Now State Auditor Phil Bryant, after a detailed study, says Mississippi
could save $5 million annually by going to a statewide drug court system.
Presently drug courts are being operated in three circuit court districts,
including the local district presided over by Starrett and Judge Mike Smith.

The idea has the backing of State Supreme Court Justice Ed Pittman,
Attorney General Mike Moore and several key legislators.

It's an idea whose time has come. The Legislature should come up with the
funding - an estimated half million dollars - to implement drug courts,
presided over by existing judges, statewide.

The money will soon be recouped if Bryant's estimates are correct, and we
have no reason to believe that they are not.