GOOD NEWS IN DRUG WAR

Keeping track of this nation's drug problem would be enough to give even
the most optimistic person a permanent case of depression.

Drug abuse and addiction lead to broken homes and shattered lives. Alcohol
and drug use in themselves can be dangerous and, on top of that, can lead
to bad decisions that result in teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted
disease and fatal auto accidents.

Those caught with illegal drugs see their lives ripped apart as they are
sentenced - often with mandatory sentences - to harsh prison terms with
violent felons. And the taxpayers pay the price by having to support a
ballooning prison population.

Society as a whole loses out because once these people return to society,
they are often unemployable or, worse, hardened criminals.

But there is hope, and we have local proof.

The Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court was set up to provide
alternatives to the draconian prison sentences that must be imposed. The
drug court allows those convicted of some drug crimes to choose treatment
over punishment.

That is not to say that the court's program is a walk in the park. On the
contrary, it takes a year to 18 months to complete it and it includes
frequent drug testing and an intensive regime of behavior modification.

Those who fail are left to complete their jail sentences. But those who
succeed have a well earned sense of accomplishment.

At each drug court graduation, a group of people who have worked long and
hard to get on the good side of life stand up and are recognized.

So far, there have been 74 graduates, out of 194 offenders placed in the
drug court in Lafourche. That might not sound like a good graduation rate,
but it shows that the program is rigorous and that it's not for everybody.

For those 74, though, another set of numbers tells a great story. Only
three of them in the past four years has been convicted of a new offense
within two years of completion. That means the Lafourche program has a 4
percent recidivism rate.

So, although the local program is one of more than 1,200 that have sprung
up in the 13 years since the first one began in Miami, it is among the best.

Nationwide, recidivism rates range from 4 to 20 percent for drug court
graduates. We're at the good end of that scale.

Congratulations to retired Judge John J. Erny Jr., who was instrumental in
beginning the program; to Judge John E. LeBlanc, who currently presides
over it; and to Cheryl Breaux Scharf, who is the director and administrator.

Thanks to this program, there are a lot more valuable citizens than there
would otherwise be - and that's a reward we all reap.