Drug courts work

by State Sen. Sam Graves

Missouri citizens continually hear stories about the impact of drugs on our communities. Although the success stories when related to drugs are rare, Missouri’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court announced a shocking statistic that puts a new spin on the drug war.

Across the state, 869 individuals have graduated from drug courts, and only 34 of those individuals have been arrested for a second offense. On the other hand, offenders who are not sent to drug courts are 45 percent more likely to be repeat offenders. It is an overwhelming statistic showing Missouri drug courts are clearly doing something right.

The idea behind drug courts is simple. Basically, the court is designed to keep non-violent drug users away from prison. First-time offenders are sentenced to treatment programs rather than being sent to jail. They are closely monitored by a strict treatment program to insure they stay clean and complete the required program.

Drug courts have saved Missouri money and have helped drug users stay out of the vicious cycle of drugs, crime, and incarceration. Instead, these once termed “junkies” are now working to become responsible citizens. In the long run, drug courts will save the state money and increase the rehabilitation of offenders and, most importantly, make our communities safer.

Currently, in Missouri the maximum cost for treatment and continued supervision of a drug court client is less than $20 a day. The average cost to send an offender to a treatment center is $42 a day, prison cost $34. Offenders sent to prison are not likely to receive treatment and have a higher chance of becoming repeat offenders.

Even though Missouri drug courts are proving to be successful, I would like to see drug courts serve both the families and juveniles. There is no reason a family should receive help only when it is broken up because the parent needs treatment for a drug problem or a juvenile is picked up on drug charges. Some communities have established juvenile drug courts to give young offenders a chance to clean up their act with the help of peer groups.

Missouri drug courts are the success story communities have been long awaiting. Drug courts are establishing themselves as an efficient addition to the judicial system. For the first time, we are seeing non-violent offenders faced with the opportunity of straightening out their lives and avoiding prison.