Today's Honolulu Advertiser editorial: "Drug courts: Smart, cost-effective judicial alternative"

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081110/OPINION01/811100309/1105

Every county has a version of the drug court system, which puts qualified nonviolent drug users through a program of intensive hands-on treatment, backed up by a judge who typically uses a program of swift punishments for missteps and rewards for positive progress to keep the offenders on track.

And it works. On O'ahu, 46 of the 49 clients who graduated in 2007 remained conviction-free more than a year later. Neighbor Island drug courts report similar high rates of success.

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Developing useful alternatives to prison is becoming a trend. By the end of this year, the U.S. Sentencing Commission plans to amend its guidelines to persuade Congress to ease up on federal mandatory minimum-sentencing laws.

Hawai'i's policy-makers should support the trend. So should the private sector, which can support the program through its nonprofit support groups, such as Friends of Drug Court.

Clearly it's a sound investment. Rescuing someone from the horrors of drug abuse is not only the right thing to do for that individual, it has a collective societal benefit as well.

"Drug Court Kudos (and some comments)"

From yesterday's St. Clair News Aegis in Alabama:

Last Friday morning my wife and I attended the graduation of the first class from St. Clair County Drug Court.

Drug Court represents a combined effort of justice and treatment professionals to vigorously intercede in an attempt to break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction and crime.

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As recidivism rates for offenders who have graduated from drug courts have been consistently proven to be lower than recidivism rates of offenders who did not take part in a drug court program we should all actively support the program.

It was moving to hear the testimony of the drug court graduates, to see the pride and conviction on their faces and in their voices. It was also an inspiration to see the many leaders of St. Clair County rejoice in these, our neighbors’ success.

"Establishment of drugs court still under discussion in Malta"

The drug court movement is spreading throughout the world, as noted in today's Malta Independent:

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=77976

The Republic of Malta is a small Mediterranean country:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta