Pubdate: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 Source: Register-Guard, The (OR) Copyright: 2000 The Register-Guard Contact: PO Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Website: http://www.registerguard.com/ YAKAMA NATION PLANS TO OPEN TRIBAL DRUG COURT TOPPENISH, Wash. - The Yakama Nation expects a first-of-its-kind tribal drug court to be up and running next year, and its chief judge says it's an idea whose time has come. By breaking the cycle of drugs and crime, the courts reduce the number of jail inmates and repeat offenders and save money, said Rory Flint Knife, who became the Yakama Nation's chief judge last May. A three-year federal Justice Department grant will pay initial costs, said Anna Ward, tribal court deputy director. Sixteen other American Indian tribes, including the Spokane and Makah in Washington, currently have either juvenile or adult drug courts, Flint Knife said. ``We would be the first tribe in the nation to have both kinds of courts,'' he said. The drug court will be voluntary and open to all nonviolent offenders who come into tribal court. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea