"DORGAN AMENDMENT STRENGTHENS DRUG COURT SYSTEM"

From an Oct. 4 press release -

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) won approval Thursday for an amendment that substantially increases funding for the nation's drug courts, which he said get better results and cost less money than the traditional court system when it comes to fighting illegal drug use.

Dorgan's amendment increases funding for the drug court system from the $25 million originally included in the bill to $40 million. President Bush's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget recommended no funding for the courts.

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"A top priority of any program that aims to combat drug abuse in this country has to be helping those now addicted to get free of that addiction," Dorgan said. "The drug courts have a remarkable track record of doing that, providing treatment and rehabilitation where once there was only incarceration."

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Dorgan noted a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study which found that offenders who go through the drug court system, rather than the traditional court system, have lower re-arrest and conviction rates.

Drug courts are also a smart investment, Dorgan said. "They not only help drug users get off drugs, they save taxpayers' money. Incarcerating a drug offender costs between $20,000 to $50,000 per year. It costs just $2,500 to $4,000 for a comprehensive drug court program. Better results at less cost. That's a pretty good combination."