A BREAKDOWN OF DRUG COURT

In 1999 Judge Keith Starrett opened the state's first drug court in the 14th
Circuit Court District, which includes Pike, Walthall and Lincoln counties.

The program consists of four phases:

. Phase 1 typically consists of either 10-week outpatient drug treatment or
in-patient treatment that can last anywhere from 42 days to six months.

. During Phase 2 the participant must report to Starrett once a week,
undergo random drug testing two to three times per week, meet with a
probation officer, attend support group meetings, and get a job, enroll as a
full-time student or perform community service. This phase lasts no less
than one year. Cocaine abusers typically stay in Phase 2 for two years.

. Phase 3, which usually lasts one year, requires one appearance before
Starrett per month and random drug testing two to three times per month.

. Phase Four involves non-reporting probation and lasts one year.

Lapses in reporting or failed drug tests can lead to jail time.

Twenty-six people graduated from Phase 2 to 3 and 16 made it to Phase 4
during Monday's ceremony at the Pike county courthouse in Magnolia.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman said drug courts have
saved the state about $1 million in jail costs.

14th Circuit drug court officials said $85,328 in fines and fees have been
collected from drug court participants: $37,328 from Pike County; $6,665
from Walthall County; and $41,335 from Lincoln County.