ADVICE GIVEN IN DRUG COURT WORTH HEEDING

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman, speaking during drug court at
the Pike County Courthouse last week, offered some good advice to
participants in the program, advice that also could be applied to everyone
whether they are in court or not.

In fact, following three rules the judge suggested could go a long way
toward keeping a person out of court - criminal or civil.

They are:

* The Golden Rule - Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.

. The Silver Rule which Pittman explained is "if you have to do harm, do
the least harm" possible. He went on to explain that sometimes choices
people must make will necessarily harm others. He used as an example
sentences to treatment and rehabilitation in the drug court, along with
restrictions of certain freedoms. Some of the conditions might harm the
defendants or their families but do less harm than a long prison sentence
or, to the other extreme, doing nothing.

. Remember that every human being has some intrinsic value. The good may be
hard to recognize in some people, but all human life should be valued since
it was created by God.