DRUG COURT - PERSISTENCE HELPS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE FIGHT

The local effort to develop a drug court program reveals the persistent attention needed to reduce substance abuse in Pitt County.  The Pitt County Sheriff's Office is now awaiting word on a $400,000 grant that would go to start a system in which nonviolent, drug-addicted offenders would go through an extensive supervision and treatment initiative, including sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances.  This effort began in cooperation with the Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition, a voluntary group of community leaders who hope to help young people reject tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

In exchange for successful completion of the program, the drug court may dismiss the original charge, reduce or set aside a sentence, offer a lesser penalty or a combination.  Offenders can choose between the drug courts and traditional sentencing, and they can be removed from the program for certain infractions, such as committing new crimes, failing urine tests or missing scheduled treatment meetings.

The idea is to relieve pressure on the traditional court system and to increase consistency and accountability in the treatment of these offenders.  Costs also are affected.

A Minnesota study showed a $30.8 million savings in that state sending drug offenders to treatment programs instead of prison.  As of November 2003, 1,093 drug courts operated in the United States, and 414 more were in the planning phases.

Drug courts in 10 North Carolina counties have operated for more than two years, while seven counties have begun drug courts, and four others have started planning for them.

The Substance Abuse Coalition also has applied for a $100,000 federal grant to help keep the media, county and public informed about substance abuse issues.  The coalition must match the grant dollar for dollar with contributions from local media outlets, including time, advertisements, public service announcements and other considerations.  "This starts with persistent attention and it makes a difference in outcomes," coalition chairman Dr.  David Ames said.

This attention, this focus, this awareness - emerging from a grassroots initiative and pursued officially - offers a needed path for community success against one of any community's most difficult problems.