Pubdate: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 Source: Times Daily (Florence, AL) Copyright: 2005 Times Daily Contact: http://www.timesdaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1641 Author: Russ Corey Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) 7 COMPLETE DRUG COURT PROGRAM IN LAUDERDALE FLORENCE -- Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Mike Jones has always said completing the drug court program wouldn't be easy. He isn't surprised when some criminal defendants in the program flunk out, opting instead to serve their sentences. The ones who remain are subject to intense supervision, drug treatment, random drug testing and the possibility of searches anytime or anywhere. "This is not the easy way out," Jones said. "I tell them that up front." On Friday, seven people who spent more than a year completing the program in Lauderdale County were recognized for their accomplishments at a graduation-ceremony. The county began its drug court program in February 2004. Because it was being incorporated into the existing community corrections program, only 15 slots were available. "It took a month or two to fill 15 slots," Jones said. There is no set time for completing drug court, the judge said. "It can be two or three years, as long as it takes to jump through all the hoops and do what's required," Jones said. Some participants slip up and are sent back to repeat a phase, he said. A slip-up doesn't necessarily get them thrown out of drug court, but it can extend the amount of time spent in the program, he said. If someone quits, the sentence they have agreed upon is invoked. Jones said that so far only about eight participants have failed drug court outright. There are about 13 participants in the program. "It is the longest, most intensive drug treatment program available," Jones said. Jones said those who complete the program should be free from the drug addition that spurred their criminal activity. That is the real goal, said Gary Wallace, a court referral officer for the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments. "The real reward is leaving the program clean and sober," said Wallace, who is involved in Colbert County's drug court program. "We've had some really good successes," Wallace said. "We want everybody to be successful, but that just won't happen." Wallace said about 40 people have entered Colbert's drug court program since it started in February 2003. Eight people have graduated, while 14 or 15 remain in the program. For those who successfully complete the program, their case is dismissed and there is no record of them being convicted of a felony, Wallace said. Colbert Circuit Judge Jackie Hatcher said there is another plus to completing the program. "Those that have graduated, I don't think we've had a single one come back," Hatcher said. Nationwide, Jones said, the recidivism rate is about 20 percent for drug court graduates, which is much lower than the recidivism rate for people coming out of the prison system. Franklin County has one of the oldest drug court programs in the state, said Circuit Judge Sharon Hester. Since the first class graduated in August 2002, 28 people have successfully completed Franklin's-program. "We have only had two to reoffend," Hester said. "That's an 85 percent success rate." About 40 percent of the people who have had an opportunity to attend Franklin's drug court have left the program or failed to complete it. Franklin began its drug court program in late 2000. It's funded through the county's community corrections program and a $467,000 federal grant. Colbert and Lauderdale counties are operating their drug court programs without the benefit of grants. Jones said Lauderdale County received money for training and hopes to receive a grant to enlarge the program. "It's working out pretty well," Wallace said. "It doesn't cost anybody anything, except the defendant." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin