Pubdate: Tue, 12 Aug 2014
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: West Huddleston
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n614/a03.html

THE TRUE FOCUS OF DRUG COURTS

Re "Pot politics engulf court programs," July 27

The article notes that in many areas, most participants in drug 
courts are low-level marijuana users. In fact, a mere 5% of drug 
courts serve marijuana cases; the rest serve hardcore addicts 
addicted to heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine.

Two decades ago the earliest drug courts focused on lower-level 
possession charges because those were the only cases prosecutors 
would agree to divert from incarceration. However, as research proved 
that drug courts are most effective for hardcore addicts, prosecutors 
grew more confident and the programs began serving seriously 
addicted, prison-bound offenders.

In so doing, drug courts reduce drug abuse and related crime more 
than any other option, and reward taxpayers with a $3 return on 
investment for every $1 spent.

Drug-legalization proponents need a more vulnerable scapegoat than 
drug courts to push their agenda.

West Huddleston

Alexandria, Va. The writer is chief executive of the National Assn. 
of Drug Court Professionals.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom