PITTMAN WANTS STATE TO CREATE DRUG COURTS

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Edwin L. Pittman plans to ask the
state Legislature in January to create regional drug courts that give drug
abusers an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves instead of going to prison.

Pittman called for a statewide drug program Monday at a graduation ceremony
for the 14th Circuit Court District Drug Court in Pike County. Twenty-five
people graduated to phase three of a four-part program, while 16 people
graduated to phase four.

Pittman praised the program, which was created in February 1999 by Circuit
Judge Keith Starrett, saying drug courts save lives and money.

"We've saved probably $1 million in incarceration costs because instead of
jail, you get the opportunity to save yourselves," Pittman said.

Starrett presides over cases in Pike, Lincoln and Walthall counties.

Circuit Judge Kathy King Jackson of Pascagoula is working to create a drug
court in George and Greene counties. She plans to model her drug court
after Starrett's program.