Fewer drug offenders are going to jail thanks to Lincoln County's fledgling drug court, which has only three participants now but will grow to about 25, said Mellissa LaRusch, case specialist for Lincoln and Pulaski counties.
Speaking to the Stanford Rotary Club Monday, Ms. LaRusch explained that drug court is one way Lincoln County is reducing the prisoner population at its chronically overcrowded jail (the county also has recently contracted with a home-incarceration service and is considering building a bigger jail).
Designed for non-violent offenders, drug court began here four months ago and had some catching up to do. Similar programs in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties began more than two years ago.
Lincoln lagged because it lies mostly outside the 5th Congressional District of Congressman Hal Rogers whose brainchild, Operation Unite, funds drug courts.
