×

Growing pains for drug court

Compared to some of the 80 or so drug courts in Ohio, Hancock County’s is still in its infancy. Now at the end of its second year, it’s experiencing some setbacks that are not unusual with specialty courts that aim high.

One goal is to help people break the bond of addiction and detour them from a criminal lifestyle. If that happens it benefits us all; the community’s incarceration costs are reduced and offenders become contributors to society.

But our drug court is still evolving and facing additional hurdles due to the heroin/opioid epidemic.

Over the first two years, there has been a failure for every success. To date, 140 people have been screened, with 53 accepted into the voluntary drug court program, which can last up to 18 months. Twenty-nine are currently in the program, 11 have dropped out, and 10 have “graduated.” Three others have been given neutral discharges, due to a mental health issue.

Several recent failures have overshadowed earlier successes.

Two weeks ago, the very first graduate of the program was indicted on new drug charges. Late last year, another graduate re-offended.

But those overseeing the program are taking the right approach by examining failures as well as successes to help determine what can be done better…

— The Findlay Courier

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today