Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jul 2001 Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV) Copyright: 2001 Reno Gazette-Journal Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363 Website: http://www.rgj.com/ Author: Andy Bourelle Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) CARSON CITY TO RAISE CIVIL FEES TO PAY FOR DRUG COURT Carson City supervisors Thursday doubled the cost of filing civil documents in Carson City District Court and will use the extra money to help pay for a five-county drug court. On the last day of the Legislature session, lawmakers voted to put $150,000 a year for two years toward the drug court, with the understanding that the counties using the program -- Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Churchill -- also would help pay for it. "We have to step to the plate, too," Mayor Ray Masayko said Thursday. "We have to provide some funds for this." Increasing the cost of filing a civil court document from $5 to $10 should generate about $12,960 for the court, Judge Michael Griffin predicted. Drug courts have operated in Clark and Washoe counties but Griffin said the Carson-Douglas region will have the first in the West to serve a rural area. "There used to be an idea that you couldn't stop someone from drinking or stop someone from using drugs. That has been proven wrong by the drug-court model," Griffin told city supervisors. "It's going to be a tremendous improvement to what we do with drug cases." The drug court should be in operation by September, Griffin said. Judge Archie Blake of Churchill and Lyon counties will run the court, traveling weekly to each of the counties. Drug offenders would be given a choice of getting a felony conviction or participating in the drug court, which would include a one-year treatment period. Between the five counties, about 125 people are expected to participate. "The drug-court model has been very successful nationwide. If we see 125 people who are eligible, we anticipate not seeing most of those people again," Griffin said. The participants will be charged a fee. But, Griffin said, it was important that Carson City and the other jurisdictions provide money to show their support for the court. Supervisors endorsed the proposal unanimously. A second reading on the ordinance change will be heard in two weeks. "The drug court is a positive idea," said Supervisor Robin Williamson. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk