Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jan 2010
Source: Richmond Register (KY)
Copyright: 2010 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmondregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4305 

LOCAL COURTS TO HOST PILOT MISDEMEANOR DRUG COURT PROGRAM

Madison and Clark district courts will host a pilot  program to treat
drug addiction, the Kentucky  Administrative Office of the Courts
announced  Wednesday.

Madison District Judge Earl-Ray Neal will oversee a  Drug Court
program for misdemeanor offenders in the  25th Judicial District,
which covers Madison and Clark  counties.

Neal is volunteering his time to conduct the biweekly  Drug Court
sessions, and credited judges Brandy O.  Brown and Charles Hardin for
their help with the  program.

"Drug Courts in Madison and Clark counties at the  juvenile and felony
court level have been a shining  example of Kentucky's success in
specialty courts,"  Neal said. "This expansion will allow us to reach
a  greater number of people and to reach them earlier in  their addiction."

Madison Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue presides over the  felony Drug
Court for Madison and Clark counties, and  credited Neal with helping
to bring the program to the  district court level.

"This program will work in conjunction with the felony  Drug Court
program to reach people earlier before their  drug addiction problems
lead them to commit serious  crimes," Logue said.

"The new misdemeanor Drug Court will provide our  community with a
positive tool to address the ever  growing drug problem. I look
forward to working with  Judge Neal in expanding and improving our
Drug Court  program," Logue said.

Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins said he believes  the program
will serve the needs of people suffering  from drug addiction.

"I am very pleased that a misdemeanor Drug Court  program will soon be
operational in our district,"  Robbins said. "This should allow us to
reach offenders  whose conduct has not risen to the felony level, but 
who still suffer from serious addictions."

Clark County Attorney Brian Thomas is similarly excited  about the
program.

"I am excited about the implementation of a misdemeanor  drug court
which can be utilized to assist in helping  those who suffer from
addiction to illegal drugs and  prescription medication break that
cycle and get  assistance," Thomas said. "This program will be another
 weapon in the arsenal against drug use and drug abuse  and will allow
us to intervene at a district court  level to provide accountability,
treatment and hope to  those who suffer from this addiction."

Neal will conduct Drug Court meetings in both Richmond  and
Winchester, and the program will begin accepting  referrals this
month. The program is being funded by a  grant from the Bureau of
Justice Administration.

Audrey Posvic, who serves as coordinator for felony  Drug Court in
Madison and Clark counties, also will  coordinate the misdemeanor program. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr