Judges ask state to pay for rehab program

Jennifer Coleman

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 9:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Washoe and Clark County judges have asked lawmakers to kick in $1 million for a drug rehabilitation program to help keep addicted convicts sober, employed and out of trouble.

Drug Court, a voluntary program administered through the courts, focuses on treating drug addiction. Participants go through detoxification, counseling and job training instead of serving jail or prison time. The program lasts a minimum of one year.

The $1 million would be spread over the next two years, with two-thirds of the money going to Clark County, which encompasses Las Vegas.

Clark County District Judge Jack Lehman, the Las Vegas Drug Court administrator, told the Senate Finance Committee his program has "graduated" over 1,000 felons who got jobs after completing the program.

The Adult Drug Court in Reno also claims success, graduating over 70 percent of those in the program, said Washoe District Judge Peter Breen, administrator of that program.

The intense supervision of participants is the key to the program's success, said Breen, adding that clients meet with judges regularly, have several drug tests each week and get job training.

"This is the best thing you have going in the war on crime," Breen said.

Both programs boast below-average recidivism rates, with only 8.4 percent of Washoe County clients and 14 percent of Clark County clients getting arrested after completing the program. The average recidivism rate in drug cases is 20 percent.

Though most of the committee said they supported the program, Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, wasn't convinced.

"It's certainly a waste of money in my book, but I suppose it's necessary in this day and age," Jacobsen said Wednesday.

Permanent funding would allow them to help even more than the 1,400 clients currently enrolled. Currently, less than 20 percent of those eligible for Drug Court are accepted because there's no money for more.

Drug Court officials say the program saves the state money in many ways, including health care, prison or jail costs and welfare. More than 60 babies were born to participants last year, all of them drug-free, Breen reported.

Most of the Drug Court participants are young and have never worked, so job training is an important part of the program, Breen said. Judge Charles McGee of Reno agreed, adding that most of the clients are "pathetically immature."

Despite this, 85 percent of graduates find jobs after completing the program, Breen said.

Finance Chairman Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he recognized the program's worth, but was concerned about finding the money in a tight budget. He asked the officials to continue to look for federal funding. No action was taken on the bill.