Who supported this grant?
The Byrne Memorial Grant was written and submitted in June of 2002. We received confirmation in December 2002 that our grant had been funded. The following people were instrumental in obtaining the grant: Judge Nuzum, Mayor Matthews, Annette Zide, and Steve Summers. Members of the community who endorsed the program and will be active participants on the Drug Court Team are: Roland Riggs III, Janet McKim, and Sheriff Schlicher. Members of government that wrote letters of support were: Senator Jim Carnes, Luceille Fleming (Director of ODADAS), and Representative Nancy Hollister. Members of our community who wrote a letter of support were Judge Boyer, and Ron Rees. Without the support of those individuals listed above, the Drug Court would not have become a reality. Our new Drug Court Coordinator will be Aimee Meadows.
What is a Drug Court?
Taken from the University of Cincinnati's outcome evaluation findings of the model the Ohio Supreme Court wanted to use to evaluate the effectiveness of Ohio drug Courts:
"Throughout the last few decades, courts that deal specifically with drug and alcohol offenders have emerged as an alternative to traditional courts. The drug court model is designed to address the needs of drug-involved offenders through frequent judicial monitoring and community-based treatment services. Within the last decade, the increase in the number of drug courts is staggering. As of 1998, there were a total of 275 drug court programs in operation, serving an estimated 90,000 offenders (Drug Court Activity, 1998). Moreover, the Drug Court Programs Office (1998) reported that another 155 were in the planning process. The U.S. Department of Justice has also placed a high priority on drug courts; since 1995, the Drug Courts Programs Office has provided $56 million in funding for development and research (Belenko, 1998). Given the degree of support for the drug court model as well as the fiscal commitment, it is likely that its implementation will continue to increase."
Is a Drug Court "soft on crime"?
Absolutely not. Drug courts are a way to hold offenders personally accountable while recognizing that they have a problem best addressed by treatment with judicial oversight. The goal of drug courts is to reduce recidivism, thereby making communities safer, through a holistic approach to treatment. The court recognizes that drug problems do not exist in a vacuum; therefore, drug problems cannot be treated in a vacuum.
Who will benefit from a Drug Court?
Everyone! - Both ordinary citizens as well as offenders who have a drug problem. Research indicates that young males between the ages of 18-26 have the most significant problem in this region, but people who are eligible for the Drug Court program will be able to participate as long as there are slots available. We are hoping to have up to 20 slots available per year.
Why does our community need a Drug Court?
Every community could benefit from a Drug Court. In our community, drug use has been on the rise. There are more people than ever before committing drug related crimes and people dying from illegal substance abuse. In addition to reducing recidivism, drug court helps people who have substance abuse issues to get treatment. The Byrne Memorial Grant will put 75, 000 additional treatment dollars into the community. The grant also provides the funds to hire two people to assist the client's of the Drug Court in all venues of their lives. Research shows that neither treatment nor court alone can address all of the barriers to a successful outcome for this particular population. These two entities, bridged by the Drug Court employees, will form a partnership that, with hope, will knock down the barriers that our client's face. Citizens who are free from drugs promote a healthier and safer community for everyone.