KC TO RELEASE SOME JAIL INMATES TO DRUG, ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAM

Kansas City judges on Wednesday agreed to an experiment that would free
some inmates who agree to enter treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.

The city has a moral obligation to help addicts and doing so would create
space in the crowded city jail, Municipal Judge Joseph Locascio said at a
meeting of the city judges.
Locascio said that about 170 of the 200 persons held in the city jail this
week suffered from drug or alcohol addiction.

"I'm surprised at the number of people who seem to be high or drunk right
in front of me," said Locascio, who started as a judge in April.

Locascio said city courts dealt constantly with absurd crimes caused by
addiction, such as a recent case where a man allegedly stole several tubes
of toothpaste to trade for crack cocaine.

Five area treatment providers agreed this week to screen inmates and to
provide up to 24 beds a month for 30-day treatment programs at no cost to
the city, Locascio said. Locascio said he would ask soon for the screenings
and then order some inmates freed for treatment.
Judge Michael McAdam suggested a broader approach: a deal with Jackson
County to get county anti-drug tax money to open 100 treatment beds at the
city jail.

The city has been forced to close 100 beds of jail space because it cannot
afford to hire corrections staff. Using county drug tax money to open them
for treatment makes sense, McAdam said.

"We do recognize the need," James Nunnelly, program administrator of the
county anti-drug tax, said in an interview. "We would be interested in
talking."