COUNTY DRUG COURT GRADUATES 10

The Athens County Municipal Drug Court held a graduation ceremony Friday
for clients who have successfully completed the program. Since the court
accepted its first client in January 2001, it has graduated 10 clients.

According to literature provided by drug court officials, the program has
assessed 54 persons since its inception. Of these, 13 were found
ineligible, eight declined to take part, eight started the program but were
terminated, and 24 are still involved.

The drug court, one of 50 such courts in counties across Ohio, is designed
as an alternative to jail time for non-violent drug and alcohol offenders,
such as drunk drivers. The program is meant to save the county
incarceration expenses, but also to help clients turn their lives around
and deal with their substance abuse problems.

The current class in Athens County's drug court is made up of 18 men and
six women, average age 35. Not counting the 10 new graduates, five
participants are in the first phase of the program, four in the second, two
in the third, and three in the fourth and final phase. Five are attending
classes to get a GED diploma, six have completed a driver intervention
program, and six have completely paid off the fines levied against them for
their offenses.

Ten clients are in treatment programs with Health Recovery Services in
Athens. One has gotten treatment from the Rural Women's Recovery Program
and another from the Veteran's Administration in Chillicothe.

Out of about 1,340 drug screens performed on the clients, more than 98
percent have come up negative for drugs.

Of approximately 1,338 breathalyzer tests for alcohol, 99.8 percent have
been negative.

The drug court also recently celebrated the birth of its first drug-free
baby, according to publicity material.

The court claims to have saved the county nearly $61,000 in jail-related
costs for its 10 recent graduates alone. Its still-active 14 clients
represent a savings of more than $138,000, according to drug court officials.

Finally, four of the 10 new graduates have completely paid off their fines
and court costs, have completed the driver intervention program, and are
holding jobs.