NEW PROGRAM FOR DRUG OFFENDERS

To the editor:

We are pleased that the Superior Court in Monmouth County began its "Drug
Court" program on April 1.

With the strong support of Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson and with
Judge Paul F. Chaiet residing, Monmouth's Drug Court hopes to work with at
least 110 offenders during its first year.

Research demonstrates that drug courts in other parts of the country have
been quite successful: Less crime in communities; less addiction in our
society; more drug-free, productive citizens living among us!

Clearly, drug courts are cost-effective: Treatments costs range between
$1,300 to $3,500 per participant; savings in jail bed days alone are
estimated to be at least $5,000 per defendant.

With the goal of reducing recidivist crime and increasing the number of
sober, drug-free citizens, the Drug Court combines drug treatment services
and intensive supervision for offenders in lieu of incarceration.

County residents who are charged with non-violent offenses and who have
been assessed as appropriate for alcohol/drug abuse treatment services are
eligible for the Drug Court. Offenders who enter the drug court must comply
with clinical treatment protocols and with judicial rules; if not, an
offender will most likely be incarcerated. We applaud the state for
establishing the drug court.

We hope that our Monmouth County communities will join us in the effort to
make the Drug Court a success: by providing support and help to Drug Court
participants who are returning to communities; they will have successfully
completed treatment and are beginning recovering from alcohol/drug abuse
problems.

Barry W. Johnson

Director, Monmouth County Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services