RELIANCE ON DRUG COURTS GROWS

Cost Is $5,000 For Drug Program Compared To $16,800 To Keep Offender In Prison

The number of drug courts in Mississippi is growing as judges seek
treatment instead of prison for those convicted of narcotics charges.

Serving more of the state

New drug courts have been proposed for:

The 12th Circuit Court District, covering Forrest and Perry counties.

The 2nd Circuit Court District, covering Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties.

The 11th Circuit Court District of Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Tunica
counties.

Forrest County Court.

Madison County Youth Court. Existing drug courts serve:

Hinds County.

Leflore, Sunflower and Washington counties.

George and Green counties.

Ridgeland City Court.

Adams County Youth Court.

It is estimated that statewide use of drug courts could save more than $5
million a year, based on 500 participants.

It costs about $16,800 a year to keep a drug offender in prison, compared
with $5,000 to go through the drug court program, a report by the state
auditor found.

"We've got to start looking for alternatives to incarceration," Circuit
Judge Bob Helfrich of Hattiesburg said. "We want them to become meaningful
members of society once again."

In drug court, criminal charges are dismissed if the defendant completes
the program of rehabilitation, intensive supervision and regular
drug-testing. The program is mostly for first-time offenders. People
charged with selling drugs are ineligible.

The first drug court was started by Circuit Judge Keith Starrett in
Lincoln, Walthall and Pike counties in 1999. Its graduates number close to
90. There are now five other drug courts, including one serving Hinds County.

A state law that went into effect July 1 allows the establishment of drug
courts statewide. Five new programs have been proposed, according to the
Administrative Office of Courts.

By October, Helfrich said, he hopes to have a drug court program in his
court district, which covers Forrest and Perry counties. Helfrich, who took
the bench in January, estimated that 75 percent of the cases he hears are
drug-related.

Starrett says that about nine of 10 people who go through drug court - 89
percent - have stayed clean and sober.

"It's the best program I have seen for turning around people's lives," he said.

Budgets and funding sources vary among the state's drug courts. Some charge
a weekly or monthly fee to participants.

Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties have contributed $70,000 to start a
drug court.

Federal grant money also is set aside for drug-court programs nationwide.
Communities must compete for the funds.