New drug court expected to provide tangible benefits

We are pleased that the state Superior Court in Monmouth County began its drug court program on April 1. With the strong support of Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson, and with Judge Paul F. Chaiet presiding, Monmouth’s drug court hopes to work with at least 110 offenders during its first year.

Research demonstrates that drug courts in other parts of the country have been quite successful: less crime in communities, less addiction in our society and more drug-free, productive citizens living among us.

Clearly drug courts are cost effective — treatment costs range between $1,200 to $3,500 per participant. Savings in jail bed days alone are estimated to be at least $5,000 per defendant.

With the dual goal of reducing recidivist crime and increasing the number of sober, drug-free citizens, the drug court combines drug treatment services and intensive supervision for offenders in lieu of incarceration.

County residents who are charged with nonviolent offenses and who have been assessed as appropriate for alcohol/drug abuse treatment services are eligible for the drug court. Offenders who enter the drug court must strictly comply with clinical treatment protocols and with judicial rules; if not, an offender will most likely be incarcerated.

We applaud the state for establishing the drug court.

We hope that our Monmouth County communities will join in the effort to make the drug court a success by providing support and help to drug court participants who are returning to communities. They will have successfully completed treatment and are beginning recovery from alcohol/drug abuse problems.

All of us will benefit from the Monmouth County drug court.

Barry W. Johnson

Director

Monmouth County

Board of Alcohol and

Drug Abuse Services

Freehold