Pubdate: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 Source: Athens News, The (OH) Copyright: 2002, Athens News Contact: http://www.athensnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603 COUNTY DRUG COURT GRADUATES 10 The Athens County Municipal Drug Court held a graduation ceremony Friday for clients who have successfully completed the program. Since the court accepted its first client in January 2001, it has graduated 10 clients. According to literature provided by drug court officials, the program has assessed 54 persons since its inception. Of these, 13 were found ineligible, eight declined to take part, eight started the program but were terminated, and 24 are still involved. The drug court, one of 50 such courts in counties across Ohio, is designed as an alternative to jail time for non-violent drug and alcohol offenders, such as drunk drivers. The program is meant to save the county incarceration expenses, but also to help clients turn their lives around and deal with their substance abuse problems. The current class in Athens County's drug court is made up of 18 men and six women, average age 35. Not counting the 10 new graduates, five participants are in the first phase of the program, four in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth and final phase. Five are attending classes to get a GED diploma, six have completed a driver intervention program, and six have completely paid off the fines levied against them for their offenses. Ten clients are in treatment programs with Health Recovery Services in Athens. One has gotten treatment from the Rural Women's Recovery Program and another from the Veteran's Administration in Chillicothe. Out of about 1,340 drug screens performed on the clients, more than 98 percent have come up negative for drugs. Of approximately 1,338 breathalyzer tests for alcohol, 99.8 percent have been negative. The drug court also recently celebrated the birth of its first drug-free baby, according to publicity material. The court claims to have saved the county nearly $61,000 in jail-related costs for its 10 recent graduates alone. Its still-active 14 clients represent a savings of more than $138,000, according to drug court officials. Finally, four of the 10 new graduates have completely paid off their fines and court costs, have completed the driver intervention program, and are holding jobs. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth