Drug Court reshaping futures

By Charly Markwart

"Founded in January of 2006, the local drug court is only the second of its kind in West Virginia. Located in the Mercer County Day Report Center building, the court system serves as an alternative to jail for convicted criminals ages 18 and up whose crimes are non-violent and related to an addiction to drugs. Drug court participants are referred to the system by an official in the legal system, but before being accepted into the program by the drug court judge, nominees must voluntarily choose to participate..."

"It may seem like an escape from jail, but Helton says that participants soon find out that the path through Drug Court is no easy road. More than a treatment center for addicts, Mercer County's Drug Court involves an intense and lengthy program with strict requirements including substance abuse counseling and treatment, weekly meetings with the Drug Court coordinator, weekly attendance at Drug Court sessions, regular drug screenings, and, most importantly, abstinence from all drugs and alcohol..."

"The Drug Court system addresses all of those issues of addiction through a three-phase program designed to progressively reduce participants' dependence on drugs and give them the ability to lead productive lives. At a minimum, the program takes an entire year to complete, but Helton says that most addicts are in the Drug Court system much longer..."

Full article available at http://www.bdtonline.com/princeton/local_story_002101958.html