Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jun 2004
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

STATE NEEDS TO SUPPORT DRUG COURTS

The 103rd General Assembly is in the books, but it's never too late to 
start thinking ahead. Next year, lawmakers should throw their full support 
behind a program that has gotten relatively little attention, but has been 
one of our biggest successes: drug courts.

There are only 12 drug court programs in Tennessee, including two right 
here in West Tennessee. By all accounts, the programs have been successful. 
Yet, every year, they struggle for funding just to keep their doors open.

Certainly, drug courts have their share of failures. In Davidson County, 
about 30 percent of addicts go back to jail for failing to obey the 
program's strict rules. And 16 percent eventually relapse after graduation. 
But compare that relapse rate with the national average of 67 percent, and 
it's clear the programs are making a difference.

Properly funding drug courts, and encouraging the creation of new ones, is 
one of the most effective things lawmakers can do to combat crime. That's 
because the majority of nonviolent crimes committed in Tennessee are fueled 
by drugs and alcohol.

Lawmakers should support drug courts because diverting addicts into the 
program would save the state money, help alleviate overcrowding in 
Tennessee prisons and delay the need to build new ones. And they should 
support them because the programs help addicts break the cycle of addiction 
and become productive members of society again.

Drug courts have proven their worth. Now, it's up to the state to support them.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager