Pubdate: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 Source: Nevada Appeal (NV) Copyright: 2001 Nevada Appeal Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/896 Website: http://tahoe.com/appeal/ Author: Amanda Hammon, Appeal Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DISTRICT COURT FEES GOING UP TO SUPPORT DRUG COURTS An increase in filing fees for Carson City District Court lawsuits would help support the cost of a new regional drug court, a judge says. District Judge Michael Griffin is asking Carson City supervisors to approve an extra $10 charge on civil cases. A separate, $5 fee also would be levied on the same cases to help raise money for court-mandated divorce mediation. Fees on most civil cases now range from $115 to $145. The Legislature granted $150,000 a year for two years to a coalition of five Western Nevada counties to start a drug court, expected to begin operation in September. However, the state funds fall short of the $260,000 needed to treat 125 offenders a year. Griffin said he expects the Carson City filing fee increase to raise about $13,000 for the court's costs. Filing fees, raising about $40,0000, will be proposed in Douglas, Churchill and Lyon counties as well. Storey County is covered by Carson City's District Court. "The state will want us to show we're supporting it in some fashion," Griffin said. "In most of our criminal cases, and some civil, drugs are a major problem. We have to do something to have people address their drug problems." Judge Archie Blake, of Judicial District 3 in Churchill and Lyon counties, said drug offenders volunteer for a year of close monitoring by the court and treatment for their addictions. "We keep seeing the same people coming back, keep revoking probations, keep putting them in prison," Blake said. "All legitimate studies have shown the only way that a person can beat the drug rap is to no longer take drugs. Other avenues don't have coerced treatment." Drug courts hold a "big hammer" over the heads of drug offenders, Blake said. They can either agree to a felony conviction and prison time, or they can enroll in the drug court program. The program includes a year of successful treatment and work to help pay treatment costs. Repeated testing for drugs will keep people honest, he said. "You always hear that people have to want to do it to be successful," Blake said. "If you're forcing them, the fact they're in treatment for a substantial amount of time, the results will be the same. If they do it long enough, then they'll want to stay clean." Blake said in the five participating counties, there is about an 80 percent chance a person with drug problems will return to the criminal system. Offenders participating in the successful Washoe and Clark county drug courts have about a 12 percent chance of being arrested on drug charges again, Blake said. Blake will operate the court for the five counties, which are cooperating under an agreement similar to that which created the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center in Silver Springs. Blake will travel from court to court in each county, hearing cases referred from his fellow district judges. If you go: What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting When: 8:30 a.m., Thursday Where: the Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk