Drug courts

THE ISSUE

Criminal justice officials in Alabama estimate as many as 85 percent of the cases they see involve the use of illegal drugs, either directly or indirectly.

The numbers are sobering, even if the defendants were anything but sober. Criminal justice officials say as many as 85 percent of the cases they see each year have a connection to illegal drug use.

Whether it's burglary, theft, assault - even murder, a surprising number of people charged with crimes are frequent users of illegal drugs, court officials say. Often, the defendants have taken something that can be sold quickly in order to buy drugs from a street dealer.

In an effort to combat the relationship between illegal drugs and crime, several counties in Alabama have created drug courts, which take into account the role of illegal drug use. In most cases, a defendnat who has a drug problem is given the option of entering a highly structured drug treatment program in exchange for a suspended or reduced sentence. If the defendant successfully completes the program, two things are accomplished: overcrowding in state prisons is reduced and the defendant is given an opportunity to get on the path to a productive life.

While statistics for the success rates of drug courts are vague, most people in the criminal justice system say the courts are a good tool to not only fight drug abuse but to fight crime. If the treatment programs are successful, the number of repeat offenders is reduced.

But the presence of drug courts in Alabama is limited, due in part of funding issues, though they are not generally expensive. They are part of the community corrections movement that is gaining popularity. Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb wants to establish drug courts in all 67 Alabama counties.

Bennett Wright, a statistician with the Alabama Sentencing Commission, said drug courts have been successful in other states. The commission supports the drug court concept because of it success record, he said.

It seems the drug court concept is a sound one that should be expanded throughout Alabama. If they can curb recidivism and help break addiction, they are indeed worthwhile.