Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN) Copyright: 2005 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co. Contact: http://www.knoxnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226 Author: Bob Fowler Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) RAMSEY NIXES ROLE IN DRUG COURT CLINTON - Anderson County District Attorney General Jim Ramsey has served notice he's dropping out of a drug court training program, putting plans for such a court in jeopardy. "I've decided it's not workable," Ramsey said of the proposed drug court. "It's just another court, another bureaucracy, without any more resources." Kelly Dagenhart, president of the county's Remove Intoxicated Drivers chapter and a leader in a lengthy effort to launch a drug court in Anderson County, said Tuesday that he was "very disappointed" in Ramsey's decision. Dagenhart said Ramsey was supposed to participate in drug court training in March. U.S. Department of Justice funding for drug court training hinges on having a "complete (drug court) team," said Dagenhart. "Without the district attorney, we don't have a complete team." Ramsey, in a Feb. 7 letter, told drug court team leader Judge James B. "Buddy" Scott he was quitting the team. Ramsey, in the letter, said state law provides adequate provisions for drug offenders that range from treatment programs while on probation to jail for repeat offenders. A drug court would divert prosecution of offenders and delay final judgments, which would result in "unacceptable" risks such as the loss of evidence and witnesses, Ramsey said in the letter. Dagenhart said drug courts are now in place "in 30 percent of the courts in Tennessee and the nation and are producing superior results to anything that's in existence now." Dagenhart said drug courts, which feature a strict program of intensive treatment, drug testing and supervision, have sharply reduced repeat drug offenses. Knox County operates a drug court. Anderson County has received funding for drug court training but hasn't received a grant to start a drug court. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom