Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2003
Source: Daily Press (VA)
Copyright: 2003 The Daily Press
Contact:  http://www.dailypress.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585
Author: Jessie Halladay

HAMPTON'S NEW DRUG COURT GETS FIRST 2 PARTICIPANTS

HAMPTON -- Addictions landed Esstease Bellamy and Ernest Giles III in court 
facing prison time on drug charges.

Bellamy and Giles admit to their addictions. They say they want help.

On Wednesday, a circuit court judge agreed to help them by making the two 
addicts the first clients in Hampton's newly-formed drug court program.

Drug courts offer non-violent drug offenders an opportunity to clean up 
their lives while staying out of jail. In Hampton, the program has been up 
and running since February, but until Wednesday hadn't found eligible and 
willing participants.

It is a strict program that requires weekly reporting to a judge, regular 
drug screens, and individual and group treatment. In the first stages of 
the program, defendants must report to the program daily. Typically, the 
program lasts at least 18 months, but goes as long as the client needs to 
finish.

"It's not an easy program," said Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Hutton, 
who will serve as the primary judge for the program. "It's challenging." In 
drug court, judges take a more active role in cases as they meet with 
clients weekly and closely monitor their progress through treatment.

At a hearing Wednesday, Hutton carefully questioned Bellamy and Giles about 
what motivated them to sign up for drug court.

"I've been messing around for so long that I'm ready to clean up," said 
Giles, who faced going back to jail for violating probation on a cocaine 
charge. "This seems like a great opportunity."

The pair start treatment immediately. Others will join the program on a 
rolling basis.

As of May, there were 20 communities in Virginia with active drug court 
programs. Another 21 communities were planning programs, according to a 
survey by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. In June, Newport 
News drug court held its fourth graduation ceremony for participants who've 
met their requirements. A total of 54 people have graduated since the 
Newport News program started in 1998.

Funding for the programs throughout the state remains in question. Each 
program cobbles together money from many sources, including local 
government and private grants.

Virginia provides funding channeled down from federal grants. But local 
match requirements are expected to go up, said Natalie Ward, who 
administers the drug court programs in both Newport News and Hampton.

Right now, Hampton relies solely on direct federal funding. The Hampton 
court does not get state funding, but does get some money from the city. 
Despite the questions about future funding, officials in Hampton say they 
wanted to push forward with the program because it is proven to work.

"Nothing in this life is certain," said Linda Curtis, Hampton's 
commonwealth's attorney. "We're doing something we think is right. And 
we're very hopeful we'll be able to finish what we start. We're working on 
faith."

Hutton says there will be money to run the Hampton program for at least two 
to three years. Overall, drug courts save money, Curtis said, because it 
takes a group of people who typically rotate in and out of the court system 
and gets them to a place where they can be productive residents.

National statistics estimate that jailing drug-using offenders costs 
between $20,000 and $50,000 a year.

By contrast, drug court programs typically cost less than $2,500 a year, 
according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

"This is an investment that may really bring us fruit in terms of fewer 
people in the front doors," Curtis said.

For Bellamy and Giles, Wednesday was just the first of many future court 
appearances.

"You ready to go to work on it?" Hutton asked Bellamy, a heroine addict 
with a long criminal record, who insists he's ready for change.

"Yes, sir."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens