Drug Court Gets Fix Federal Funds Keep County Diversion Program Alive

Spokane County’s experimental drug diversion program will get more federal money to continue helping addicts kick their habits.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday set aside $300,000 for the county’s Drug Court. The money will keep the program going at least another year.

“Without this money, we would have had to quit taking new folks into the program around the first of July,” said Superior Court Judge James Murphy, who presides over the program. “We’re very thankful it came through.”

Drug Court began in January, giving addicts facing drug charges a combination of outpatient treatment and intensive monitoring. The idea is to break the cycle of addiction and crime that clogs court dockets and jail cells.

In Drug Court, people arrested on drug charges are given a choice to complete a year of treatment or go to jail. If they enter the program, they admit their guilt and waive their right to a trial. If they successfully complete the program, however, charges are dropped.

So far, 22 people have chosen Drug Court over jail. About 35 were offered the program.

Officials say they have enough money and time to treat about 72 clients this year.

Murphy said the new federal money will keep Drug Court running long enough for the Department of Justice to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

“We’re hoping to show Drug Court is a huge savings compared to incarceration costs,” Murphy said. “Treatment reduces recidivism.”

, DataTimes