Pubdate: Sun, 24 Dec 2000 Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) Copyright: 2000 Columbia Daily Tribune Contact: 101 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 798 Columbia, MO 65205 Feedback: http://www.showmenews.com/forms/formletter.htm Website: http://www.showmenews.com/ Author: Name withheld upon request DRUG COURT STRIPPED OF ITS ORIGINAL INTENT Editor, the Tribune: An article in the Tribune on Dec. 13 about the Boone County Drug Court stated that it was an alternative to prosecution and that defendants who successfully complete the program thus avoid prosecution and the threat of a criminal record. In fact, that was the original purpose of drug court, but it has changed radically in recent months. Now a large portion, perhaps the majority, of the people ordered to participate in drug court also get prosecuted. The program has changed from an alternative to prosecution to becoming simply an additional burden of prosecution. This is a mistake. The original intent of the program has been defeated. Now drug court is often ordered as a condition of probation, and failure to complete the program results in immediate imprisonment. Drug court started out as a good idea. It should be returned to its original purpose. Name withheld upon request - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck