Pubdate: Mon, 10 Sep 2001
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2001 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509

CRACKDOWN

In an effort to cut the number of drug overdose deaths in Worcester, health 
and law enforcement officials are accelerating procedures for dealing with 
addicts and tracking drug-caused deaths.

After a decade of decline in most categories of crime, illegal drug 
trafficking remains a major problem in the region, making these latest 
proposals most welcome.

Worcester has had a shockingly high number of overdose deaths in recent 
years -- at least 242 since January 1996. Although that statistic includes 
deaths caused by alcohol and other drugs, there is no doubt that the 
availability of inexpensive, stronger heroin is the No. 1 culprit.

In order to respond quickly to this threat to public health and safety, the 
Worcester City Clerk's office, which records death certificates, and the 
city's Health Department have established a direct computer link. The rapid 
availability of information about drug deaths should help officials better 
zero in on problems.  Also worthy of serious consideration is the 
re-establishment of a "drug court" within Central District Court in Worcester.

The District Court operated a drug court in 1999-2000 under a federal grant 
obtained by the district attorney's office at the request of the court's 
probation department. Nearly 41 percent of the individuals who entered the 
program completed nine months of treatment and 90 percent of those 
completed the subsequent course of counseling, employment or vocational 
training and drug testing -- unusually high success rates for programs 
dealing with heroin addicts.

The drug court gives law enforcement and judges more leeway to order 
stricter treatment and monitoring for those convicted of drug possession. 
Drug tests are administered up to three times a week. Participants are 
required to meet with probation officers once a week and participate in 
group and individual counseling. All cases are reviewed weekly by District 
Court judges.

Cutting the demand for heroin is the ideal way to drive out dealers, but 
the drug court approach also recognizes the need for treatment and 
monitoring programs for nontraffickers whose violations do not warrant 
incarceration.

The drug court program would appear to be a way to improve the lives of the 
addicts and their families -- giving them a chance to get back on their 
feet and become self-sufficient, productive members of the community.

With an estimated 3,000 heroin addicts in Worcester, efforts must be 
redoubled to make this highly addictive drug less readily available and to 
help those who want to beat the habit. City and law enforcement agencies 
deserve credit for focusing their combined efforts on the problem. Society 
cannot afford to capitulate in the war against this menace.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart