PITTMAN CALLS FOR A SYSTEM OF DRUG COURTS

Mississippi's Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman of Hattiesburg called
this week for creation of a statewide system of drug courts. Speaking to
graduates of the 14th Circuit Court District Drug Court in Magnolia,
Pittman said, "We have a lot of people who need the chance to help themselves."

Drug courts presently operate in three of the state's 22 circuit court
districts.

The Chief Justice said the drug courts, which offer drug treatment and
probation supervision, give participants a second chance to lead successful
and productive lives and enable them to support themselves and their families.

"We have saved probably a million dollars in incarceration costs because,
instead of jail, you have had the opportunity to save yourselves," Pittman
told the program graduates at the Pike County Courthouse.

He added that state government should be involved in assisting individuals
in overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. "This is part of an effective
government, to create and encourage drug courts," he said.

Physician and state Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett of Brookhaven and Reps. O.K. Moore
of Columbia and Clem Nettles of Jayess were co-authors of the drug court
legislation.

Barnett told the graduates, "Look around you. Were it not for the drug
court, one or two or maybe even more of you would be dead. Drugs kill. It's
a matter of lives. We are saving lives."

Twenty-five participants of the drug court program graduated into phase
three of the four-part program this week. Phase one is six weeks of drug
treatment; phase two includes weekly reporting to the judge and twice
weekly drug testing; phase three, which lasts a year, involves monthly
reporting to the judge and drug testing twice each month; and phase four is
a year without supervision but with drug charges still in effect. If
participants complete the probationary period, the charges may be dismissed.

Circuit Judge Keith Starrett created the state's first drug court in the
14th Circuit Court District, made up of Pike, Lincoln and Walthall
counties, in 1999. Other drug courts are operating in the Seventh Circuit
District, located in Hinds County; and in the Fourth Circuit Court
District, which includes Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington counties.

Federal matching funds are available for partial support of the drug courts.