Pubdate: Fri, 30 Aug 2002
Source: Parkersburg Sentinel, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002, The Parkersburg Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1647
Author:  Nate Long

DRUG COALITION RECEIVES SUPPORT

Marietta City Council Thursday agreed to issue a resolution of support for 
the recently developed drug coalition in town.

This was made at the request of Councilman Cathy Harper at a police and 
fire committee meeting. Mayor Joe Matthews also agreed to issue a 
proclamation supporting "Turning Point," the newly acquired name for the 
drug coalition agreed upon at its last meeting Aug. 21 at Washington State 
Community College.

Increasing support for fighting the effects of addicting drugs in Marietta 
has slowly been brought together, but now looks to be gaining firm ground 
with support from the legislative and administrative branches of city 
government.

"With the official support from the city, 'Turning Point' will be much more 
successful in our attempt to apply for various grants," Harper said. "One 
of our goals as a group is the development of a half-way house and the 
increased availability of addiction treatment methods."

Harper's request, which came in the form of a concerned citizen rather than 
a councilman, said the support of the city would lend the group credibility.

"We have become far more than just a support group," she said.

All members of council unanimously agreed to give the OK for the legislation.

The newly named drug coalition in Marietta has been meeting for 8-10 weeks 
with nearly 70 members attending the last meeting.

Marietta's citizens are not the only ones who have noticed the increase 
locally of opiates, physically addictive drugs, ie. heroin, oxycontin, 
cocaine, alcohol, sedatives, percocet, etc. The courts have noticed the 
problem as well.

Marietta Municipal Court Judge Milt Nuzum has seen the growing problem and 
is attempting to do something about it. Nuzum applied in early summer for a 
grant to assist in creating a drug court at the municipal level. He expects 
to hear a response by mid-to late- September.

"It is not a different court, but a different way of handling drug-related 
cases," Nuzum said in an interview. "With a drug court, a person who is 
arrested for a drug offense is assessed within 48 hours of the arrest and 
treated at that time."

Nuzum said it is required that the person plead guilty to the charge and is 
placed on probation, receive counseling and detoxification.

"If the program is completed successfully, the carrot is that the charges 
could ultimately be dismissed, but if they don't abide by the set 
conditions they are put in jail," Nuzum said. "There is a much higher 
success rate than just sending these people to jail in the first place."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom