RESCUE VIRGINIA'S DRUG COURTS FROM BUDGET EXTINCTION

Gov. Warner Should Save The Program, Which Helps Offenders And Addicts
Avoid Prison And Begin Living Productive Lives.

EVERYONE across the nation understands the inherent and long-term value of
drug courts. Everyone except Virginia.

The program - which offers returns in tax savings, and most important, in
rehabilitated lives - faces extinction because the General Assembly decided
not to fund it beginning July 1. Of all 50 states with drug courts,
Virginia has the dubious distinction of being the only one to completely
wipe out the entire program because of a budget pinch. Such disregard for
the program's achievements is astoundingly shortsighted.

Since 1995, Virginia drug courts have successfully dealt with low- level
dealers and nonviolent addicts. The offenders have the option of
court-supervised participation in a treatment program to turn around their
lives while avoiding prison sentences. The success rate illustrates the
program's ability to position recovering offenders and addicts to become
productive citizens.

A study by Virginia Tech found that 68 percent of 261 participants
graduated recently, an improvement over the 1999 rate of 60 percent, which
in itself was commendable. Only 7 percent were recidivists.

By eliminating drug courts, Virginia could save $2.7 million next year but
spend untold millions in years to come. For example, the Roanoke Valley's
program cost $4,390 for each participant in 2000, while confinement costs
$22,250 per prisoner. Without a drug court, many of the offenders
undoubtedly would end up back behind bars.

Some lawmakers from rural areas didn't understand the importance of funding
drug courts, arguing that they were from regions where the program had
little or no impact. Those lawmakers should not be too naive. Addiction has
affected lives in some of the far rural reaches of the state. If those
areas have no drug courts, they need them.

Gov. Mark Warner has the power in a budget amendment to reinstate funding
for drug courts. He should exercise it when the legislature reconvenes next
month. The program is not merely a worthwhile, feel- good government
service, but one that contributes to Virginia's future well-being.