Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 DRUG COURTS House Is Missing The Point Drug courts make sense. It is simple. Drug courts treat the root problem by requiring treatment for offenders rather than just locking them up and starting a lifetime cycle of incarceration, chemical dependency and crime. Root causes - - Drug courts treat the root causes of crime by mandating treatment and dealing with an offender's chemical dependency. - - The programs have better results and save taxpayers money. Why is this so hard for the House of Representatives to understand? The House last week undermined a Senate-passed bill that would help establish a statewide drug court system. Drug courts now operate successfully on a limited basis in Lincoln, Walthall, Pike, Hinds, Leflore, Sunflower and Washington counties and in the Ridgeland Municipal Court. The results have been good and the potential for effective crime-fighting and rehabilitation is tremendous on a statewide level. State Auditor Phil Bryant estimates the state could save about $5.4 million annually by sending offenders through drug courts instead of incarceration in the penal system. The House approved the Senate-passed bill, but restricted participants to those convicted of possession of a controlled substance. That cuts out too many offenders, who may plead guilty to crimes associated with their drug problems, such as prescription drug forgery, DUI, larceny and embezzlement. The offenders still serve time, but get treatment. Drug courts are not soft on crime, but effective on crime by getting to a root cause. The bill should be restored and the program extended statewide. Drug courts just make good sense. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth