Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Source: Springfield News Sun (OH)
Copyright: 2006 Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3490
Author: Valerie Lough, Staff Writer

JUDGE VOWS TO BACK DRUG COURT

O'Neill Says He Is Committed To Discussing The Progress  Of Setting 
Up The Adult Court With Justice Action  Mercy.

Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard O'Neill  committed to discuss 
quarterly the progress of  establishing an adult drug court in the 
county with  Justice Action Mercy.

"I will let them know anytime something happens  affecting the drug 
court," O'Neill said at the group's  Monday meeting. "But there may 
not be something to  report every quarter."

JAM is working on a proposal to establish a separate  docket 
specifically to handle drug and drug-related  crimes.

Officials and organizers set a 2008 goal to start the court.

"We need to set it up right, and that takes some time,"  said 
O'Neill. "It takes some education, it takes some  money, it takes 
some coordination."

Valerie Hart, associate organizer for JAM, said she was  pleased to 
have O'Neill's support.

"He's done everything he's committed to doing," said  Hart. "He's a 
man of his word."

O'Neill took the bench in Common Pleas Court in 1993  when the county 
indicted about 670 new felony cases, he  said.

"Last year, they indicted 1,180 felony cases," O'Neill said.

This year, felony cases are likely to be more than  1,500, 
overwhelming the criminal justice system in  Clark County on all 
levels, the judge said.

"The intensive supervising probation officers, by  grant, are 
supposed to have 40 to 50 probationers at a  time. Each right now has 
80 to 90," said O'Neill.

Organizers say an adult drug court would cut down  recidivism and 
help to interrupt the cycle of addiction  in drug users.

"It's evident that we have a serious problem with drugs  and alcohol 
in Clark County," said Delvin Harshaw,  chairman of JAM's drugs and 
crime committee.

A juvenile drug court has been in place in Judge  Monnin's court for five years.
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