Editorial: Drug court offers a lot of promise

Wednesday, April 11, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

Drug courts in Clark and Washoe counties have shown that a strictly supervised program of rehabilitation and drug testing can turn someone's life around. Eight years ago District Judge Jack Lehman started his drug court program for those with substance abuse problems; those eligible either had been placed on probation or were diverted from prison. In that time 1,718 people have graduated from Lehman's program, and just 303 got into trouble again, which is an impressive 17 percent recidivism rate. In contrast, Lehman notes, the recidivism rate is 80 percent for state inmates, who either commit another crime or go back for a parole violation. Treatment for substance abuse problems is essential if we don't want inmates returning after they're released because they can't shake their addictions. If this revolving door continues, it just eats up millions of tax dollars that could be spent on more productive uses.

That is why it was encouraging that the 1999 Legislature approved Gov. Kenny Guinn's request to let some state prisoners be eligible for the local drug court programs. The individual is still considered an inmate, but he is allowed to work in his community while also undergoing treatment. More than 122 state prisoners last year were screened for entry into Clark County's drug court, but only 16 were admitted into the program that started last December.

One of the problems, according to District Judge Peter Breen, who runs the drug court in Washoe County, is that the current law is too strict in limiting who is eligible. For instance, the law currently says that no one convicted of more than a single offense can participate in drug court. Breen would like to see the law changed so that someone with up to four convictions is eligible. Breen noted that in many cases prisoners have multiple convictions coming from the same drug problem. If the changes are made, Lehman said an extra 42 inmates would be eligible in his court, with as many as 100 enrolled by the end of the year.

Expanding the program in a limited way makes sense. It also should be remembered that inmates who have committed violent crimes or sexual offenses still won't be eligible, which is an important safeguard for valley residents. This program offers great promise, especially under the direction of both Breen and Lehman. But it is critical that whoever runs drug court must be tough on inmates who stray, sending them back to prison if they violate the terms of their new arrangement, which includes the failure to pass a drug test.