Drug court: positive solution to serious social problem

May 15, 2008|Mellissa LaRusch

May is "National Drug Court Month." The Commonwealth of Kentucky is fortunate to be one of the beginning few, and now many, states that are recognized for its successful Drug Courts. Chief Supreme Court Justice Joseph E. Lambert has implemented Kentucky Drug Courts. With Chief Justice Lambert's leadership, the first Drug Court began in 1996 in Fayette County. Since 1996, Drug Courts have continued to be implemented throughout the state. By 2009, there will be Drug Courts in all 120 counties throughout the Commonwealth.

Locally, drug courts are successfully being held in the 28th Judicial Circuit and the 28th Judicial District. Circuit Drug Court for adult offenders is held in Pulaski, Rockcastle and Lincoln counties. District Drug Court for juvenile offenders is held in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties.

Drug Court for adult offenders through the Circuit Court of the 28th Judicial Circuit began in 2004. Circuit Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette and Circuit Judge David A. Tapp, preside over weekly Drug Courts for Pulaski, Rockcastle and Lincoln counties. The Adult Drug Court Program Supervisor for the Circuit Drug Court is Ryan Tucker. Mellissa LaRusch is the Case Specialist for Adult Drug Court. Both Ryan and Mellissa work with these individuals on a daily basis. The Adult Drug Courts work diligently to help individuals who struggle with addiction to become productive members of society.

The drug court "team" are members who work equally with the Judge, Coordinator and Case Specialist. The team members are vital to the Court as they implement the decisions of the Court. The "team" consists of various individuals who work daily either in the judicial system and /or with substance abuse, and who volunteer their time and efforts, in addition to their daily schedules, to achieve successful results for this program.

Drug court for Juvenile offenders began in 2000 through the previous Family Court Judge Debra H. Lambert. However, in June 2007, Juvenile Drug Court was implemented though our District Court by District Court Judge Katie Wood. Judge Wood presides over the Judicial Drug Court, in addition to the regular court schedule for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. The Drug Court program supervisor for the juvenile drug sourt is Kevin M. Sloan. The drug court "team" consists of officers of the court system prosecutor, defense attorney, as well as representatives of the school district, social workers and substance abuse counselors who work with the juveniles on a daily basis. The District Court Drug Court for the juveniles volunteer their time to and remedy substance abuse issues for youth in our communities.

The mission of drug court is to provide a court-supervised treatment alternative to end illicit drug use and related criminal activity and to promote positive life change through substance abuse education and treatment. Drug court began in conjunction with Operation Unite, through U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers, as a means for addressing the substance abuse issues confronting our communities. Drug court proves to be a positive solution to a serious social problem. The program significantly impacts the reduction of re-arrests, re-convictions and re-incarceration rates. Drug court has resulted in increased payment of delinquent child support, fines, restitution and improvement in employment rates. For every $1 spent on Drug Court graduates, the Commonwealth saves $2.72 what it would have spent on incarcerating these individuals. Drug Court coordinates the efforts of the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation and parole, law enforcement, social services and treatment communities.

Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette, Judge David A. Tapp and Judge Katie Wood express most a sincere thanks and gratitude for the drug court teams and Operation Unite, who volunteer time, efforts and funding to enable the successful results of the drug court and its effect in combating and rehabilitating the substance abuse issues in our community.

Mellissa LaRusch is Drug Court Case Specialist for Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties.

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