Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 Source: Blue Springs Examiner (MO) Copyright: 2000 Blue Springs Examiner Contact: P.O. Box 1057, Blue Springs, MO 60413 Website: http://examiner.net/ Author: Amanda Curtright COUNTY APPROVES DRUG-USE MONITORING Jackson County was recently approved as a participant in a drug-use monitoring program sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. Information about the program was presented to Jackson County Legislators on Monday. The purpose of the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Bob Beaird, includes tracking of drug use trends countywide as well identification of the ethnic and geographic populations that use drugs. "Part of the problem of the fight (against drugs,) is knowing what drug and where," he said. With ADAM, he said, "We will know what to fight, where, and what to do to fight it." ADAM is a joint effort by the National Institute of Justice, Jackson County's Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax, and local law enforcement agencies D the Kansas City, Raytown, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Independence and Grandview police departments. Information about substance abuse, prior treatment history, prior arrest history and how and where individuals obtain drugs is collected from arrestees voluntarily and at random for two-week periods four times a year. All information collected is anonymous. Arrestees answer questions asked by a trained interviewer within 48 hours of incarceration, and a urine sample is collected to corroborate questionnaire responses. ADAM has an approximate 80 percent cooperation rate, said Thomas E. Feucht, deputy director of the office of research and evaluation for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. Phyllis Newton, ADAM program manager, said there are a couple of reasons for such a high participation rate. "They are let out of their cell (to answer ADAM questions,) and the process is cathartic," she said. "They get to talk about what has happened in their life for the last year." Beaird said potential participants are offered a cola and a candy bar for their cooperation. "The philosophy is that this is anonymous, I'm not going to get in trouble ... so I might as well get a candy bar," he said. Feucht said this information will be useful in identifying drug use trends within the community, "new and emergent drug threats," and in time, will allow local agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention programs. Beaird said the data also has value as justification for needed funds to support drug treatment-related programs, and with 35 ADAM sites nationwide, "we can predict (which drug trends) are coming our way." More information and a resolution regarding the ADAM program will soon appear before the legislature. ADAM representatives said they would like to see the program implemented by the third quarter D July, August or September of this year. In other business, legislators again inquired about results from the Jackson County Jail construction and population control audit. Questions addressed issues of concern for legislators including the 48-hour time period between release from jail and electronic shackling as well as failure to appear rates. The legislature approved the following measures on Monday: Appropriation of $3,000 to cover the Father-Child Relationship Enhancement grant for the Family Court Division funded by the University of Missouri, Kansas City Institute for Human Development. Authorizing an agreement with the national Center for Fathering to provide training sessions for clients of the prosecuting attorney's deferred prosecution and drug court programs at a total cost not to exceed $50,000. Authorizing an agreement with the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission for the Metropolitan Community Services Program to provide placement and supervision services for the prosecuting attorney's deferred prosecution and drug court programs, extending the terms of the agreement in an amount not to exceed $40,000 Authorizing a cooperative agreement with McProperties, L.L.C., and the city of Independence regarding the Santa Fe Trail Neighborhood Tax Increment Financing Plan. A resolution in support of submitting a grant application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in connection with the Landmark Local Parks program for funds to renovate facilities at the Longview Horse Park. To reach Amanda Curtright e-mail or call 350-6362. - ---