LAFOURCHE DRUG COURT TOUTS SUCCESS

THIBODAUX - Only 4 percent of the criminals who have gone through treatment
and community service in Lafourche Parish's drug court have gotten into
trouble with the law again, officials said.

That's far better than the national recidivism rate of about 68 percent for
criminals who are chemically addicted but do not go through a drug-court
program after arrest.

The national recidivism rate ranges from 4 percent to 20 percent for those
who successfully complete a drug court program.

"We're a very young drug court," said Cheryl Breaux Scharf, clinical
director and administrator of the program. "We're very proud of the fact we
have a 4 percent recidivism rate."

The court was started in April 1999 by now-retired Judge John J. Erny Jr.,
who served as the court's judge until 2001. Since then, Judge John E.
LeBlanc has presided.

Terrebonne Parish launched its own drug court in May.

The court handles cases involving nonviolent drug offenders, offering them
supervision, drug testing, treatment and immediate sanctions and incentives.

The program allows participants to get away from a lifestyle of illegal
drug use, Scharf said. Participants interact with the judge, a prosecutor,
defense counsel, treatment specialists, probation officers, law-enforcement
and correctional personnel, education and vocational experts and community
leaders.

The recidivism rate is defined by the number of drug-court graduates who
are convicted of a crime within two years of graduation.

Over the past four years, 194 offenders have been admitted and 74 have
graduated from Lafourche's program. Only three of the graduates have been
convicted of a new offense, Scharf said.

The drug-court idea got its start in 1989 in Miami. About 1,200 drug courts
now operate across the nation.

The idea is to help nonviolent drug users turn their lives around. It also
helps unclog the legal system and reduces crime, the jail population and
the number of people with a chemical dependency, Scharf said. Drug court is
also less expensive than sending offenders to jail.

The program is voluntary. Offenders must plead guilty to a charge and be
sentenced. The judge then suspends the sentence if the person completes the
program. The court monitors and drug tests them three times a week. They
may be treated in a treatment facility or as an outpatient. The program
lasts one year to 18 months.

Last month, Lafourche's drug court held its fourth graduation ceremony.