Harvey Hoffman, Eaton County District Judge in Michigan, United States, who was on the island recently to address a forum coordinated by the National Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCPADD), made the comment.
The forum focused on Breathalyser Testing, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, repeat offenders, and blood alcohol contact among other
drug-related matters.
It was part of Drug Awareness Month which is being celebrated this month under the theme, My life, My Community, There Is No Place for Drugs.
Hoffman explained the drug courts' purpose was not simply to punish drug court offenders, but they were also designed to incorporate treatment, testing, and accountability to reduce the likelihood that the defendants would re-offend.
"Over 300 people participate each year in the county. They have been able to reduce drunk driving by 30 per cent – which means it also reduces the number of people involved in the programmes," said Hoffman who once ran a felony drunken-driving court, the only one of its kind in Greater Lansing.
He said each year, the programme saved the county nearly US$230 000 by limiting jail time, and reducing the number of jury trials they had to hold.
According to reports from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, it costs an estimated US$20 000 to US$50 000 per year to lock up drug offenders.
"Depending on the drug of choice and the level of addiction, the drug court can run between US$1 000 to US$5 000 a case. The variables are the level of treatment needed and the type and frequency of drug or alcohol testing required," Hoffman indicated.
He pointed out that every judge in Eaton County ran a drug court and there were nine drug courts currently operating in mid-Michigan, whereas in 2002, the only drug court in mid-Michigan was four years old.
Currently, there are 64 drug courts in the state, and about 2 000 overall in the nation.
There are also judges handling cocaine and heroin cases, addicted juveniles, and addicts and alcoholics that have committed domestic violence.
The judge – who has been involved in drug courts for more than ten years – explained that all drug courts had three phases: An initial intensive phase, a secondary phase where people have remained clean for a period of time and need less treatment and testing, and a third long-term maintained phase.
"To create a drug treatment court programme that will appropriately address an addicted offender, knowledge is critical. It is important for the alcoholics to have frequent breathalyser testing and the drug addicts to have urine testing on a regular basis. Without that testing, there is no way to know if they are staying clean," Hoffman said.