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(Bluefield)—The Mercer County Circuit Court, 9th Circuit/Bluefield, has been accepted to participate in the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative (DCPI). Roderick Neal, Associate Professor of Psychology at Bluefield State College, has been appointed Grant Coordinator for the initiative. Steve Collins, Executive Director of the Day Report Center, has been appointed acting Drug Court Coordinator.
“This initiative includes a training series designed to assist jurisdictions in developing effective drug court programs that serve an adult offender population,” noted Prof. Neal. A team of professionals representing the Mercer County Circuit Court will take part in the training series. Team members include Derek Swope (Chief Judge/Ninth Judicial Circuit), William J. Sadler (Prosecuting Attorney/Mercer County), Dr. Anthony Woart (Associate Professor/Bluefield State College), George Sitler (Attorney), Steven Collins (Executive Director/Mercer Day Report Center), Jim Baker (Southern Highlands Mental Health), a representative from the Public Defender’s Office, and Joe Allen (Probation Officer).
Drug courts use the authority of the court to reduce crime by changing the defendants’ drug-using behavior,” Prof. Neal explained. “Drug courts offer defendants the possibility of dismissed charges or reduced sentences if they choose to be diverted to drug court programs by presiding judges. Judges monitor progress of defendants through frequent status hearings, then prescribe sanctions and rewards,” he said.
Drug courts developed primarily as a response to high recidivism rates among drug defenders. “For the community, drug courts offer better supervision for offenders,” Neal continued. “They require more responsibility and greater accountability of defenders, permit greater coordination and accountability, reduce duplication of services, and save taxpayers’ money. In jurisdictions where the drug courts have been implemented, there has been a reduction in other types of crime, because drug users typically engage in theft and other criminal activity to support their drug habits.”
The Mercer County Circuit Court’s participation in the Drug Court initiative will take place in Fiscal Year 2005. Team members will attend their first of three training programs in Franklin, TN, January 26-28. “It is an honor to have been selected to take part in the program,” Neal observed. “The Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative provides opportunity to make a very positive, long term impact upon our region.”
January 24, 2005
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