Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 Source: Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, IL) Copyright: 2009 Daily Chronicle Contact: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3685 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) DRUG COURT A SUCCESS SO FAR As any regular viewer of television crime dramas knows, prosecutors and defense attorneys are frequently at odds with one another. One's goal is the other's failed effort; one's victory the other's defeat. At least that's the way television portrays the relationship. In real life the goal is for the law to prevail, not the lawyer. But when passionately pulled toward opposite outcomes, it would be natural for that relationship to be strained at times. So considering the Cubs-Sox nature of the relationship, it was nice to see DeKalb County State's Attorney Ron Matekaitis and DeKalb County Public Defender Regina Harris, among others, pulling for the same side last week as the first of the county's Drug Court participants graduated from the program. Drug Court is an intensive counseling and rehabilitation program that provides an alternative to a prison sentence. One of the four graduates was also the first person taken into the program, in November 2006. He was also the first graduate, and said he had accomplished more with his life in two years than he had in the previous 10 years. The program is for non-violent offenders who are not drug dealers, and participants go through residential treatment for addiction, frequent drug testing and weekly court appearances. The court was started with funding from the DeKalb County Board, but is now funded primarily through fees tacked on to traffic and felony convictions. Drug Court is run by a 10-person team that includes members from law enforcement and judicial, legal and counseling agencies. It's an impressive cross section of professionals who can provide help, and it took a lot of work to put together. Now, it is beginning to show dividends. We commend those who pushed to create the program, and also those who allowed themselves to be pushed. Matekaitis admitted he was not an early advocate of the program, believing that the proper place for an addict who committed a crime was behind bars. But he later saw that as a failed strategy for certain individuals who could be saved through a program like Drug Court. Similarly, Kurt Klein, presiding judge of DeKalb County, was hesitant to start the court, fearing it would put too much strain on already limited resources. Backed by early advocates like Circuit Judge Robbin Stuckert and Drug Court Coordinator Marilyn Stromborg, both came around to the idea and are now believers in the program's effectiveness. It is easy to be passionate about something, but it's harder to let someone else's passion challenge your own long-felt notions. It is commendable that Matekaitis kept an open mind in the early stages of the discussion, and allowed advocates of the program to make their case. It's the nature of the legal system that prosecutors and defense attorneys will spar before judges. But when there is a chance to offer rehabilitation and a better life for those suffering from drug addiction, it's better when they can all be on the same team. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake