ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610280113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
Who's in it?
The program is open to addicts and small-time dealers. Most have used or dealt crack cocaine, although there are some marijuana and heroin defendants. Since the program started in September 1995, 84 people have enrolled. Five have graduated, and seven have been kicked out - four for failing to stay off drugs, three for having new charges filed against them.
What does it cost?
The Drug Court was opened at no additional cost to taxpayers, using resources already in existence - judges, probation officers and counselors who would be dealing with drug cases anyway, and a state-funded Day Reporting Center for its headquarters. Since then, the program has received funding from the General Assembly and a federal grant.
At most, it costs about $2,500 to put someone through the program for one year - far less than the $20,000 it would cost to keep him in prison for the same amount of time.
Does it work?
It's too soon to say for sure in Roanoke, but drug courts that have been in existence longer seem to be working. A National Institute of Justice study of the Miami Drug Court found a 60 percent success rate, while an Oregon Department of Corrections evaluation showed a 57 percent success rate for the Portland Drug Court.
- Staff report
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB