MeckCo May Spare Court Program For Addicts

A court program to help drug offenders get clean through treatment and supervision rather than jail time may now be spared by Mecklenburg County. State lawmakers have cut funding for drug treatment courts from the budget, but Mecklenburg County Commissioners last night gave tentative approval to fill the gap with local funding. Trial Court Administrator Todd Nuccio says research shows drug courts work better than putting addicts in jail. "Unless substance abuse offenders are regularly supervised by a judge and held accountable, 70 percent drop out of treatment prematurely," says Nuccio. "So, drug courts provide that on-going, close supervision that keeps people engaged in treatment, holds them accountable and brings about compliance." Nuccio says a $623,000 contribution from Mecklenburg County will save the entire drug court program. The money pays for caseworkers and court staff who meet with substance abuse offenders as often as once a week for a full year. Nuccio says 40 percent of drug offenders re-offend statewide, compared to just 11 percent of those who go through Mecklenburg County's drug court program. Mecklenburg County Commissioners will vote on Tuesday to replace drug court funding that has been cut from the state budget.