Pubdate: Fri, 18 Nov 2005
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

A NEW STEP FOR DRUG COURT

Transitional Housing Should Boost the Success Rate of Drug Court

Criminal Court Judge Seth Norman never stops thinking of ways to
improve Nashville's drug court, and the city is the better for his
attention.

The latest innovation in the successful program will come from a
$500,000 federal grant. While operational costs for the drug court are
included, the grant will also provide funding for a transitional house
for those emerging from the program and heading back into society.
	

The house will provide more supervision than traditional half-way
houses use for some court and drug programs. The drug court will start
with a house for men of anywhere from eight to 10 beds and eventually
add a house for the women in the drug court program.

The transitional housing may boost the drug court's already high
success rate. Without strong supervision, some of those in the program
stumble when they are released from drug court care. Norman says he
has seen the transition from the drug court program to the outside
world become a downfall for some. Stricter supervision at that
critical juncture could be just the right approach for success.

Norman's drug court already has become a model for the state and the
rest of the country for that matter. Nashville's drug court was cited
by federal officials as a praise-worthy program. And Tennessee has a
court aimed at methamphetamine use to follow in its footsteps.

But it's those caught in the grip of drug addiction and their families
who have benefited the most. These are non-violent offenders given an
option to clean up their act and abandon drug use if they get in the
program. The court in Nashville claims a relapse rate of 25% compared
to 67% to 70% nationwide. If the city can improve on that impressive
record, it's doing an excellent job for addicts, their families and
Nashville. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake