Drug Court Program Saving
Taxpayers Money, Study Shows

SEATTLE (AP) -- A court program that aims to keep drug offenders out of jail through counseling and addiction treatment has saved King County taxpayers more than $520,000 in its first three years, according to a new report.

The program also helped to save money by avoiding case-processing costs in the judicial system, said the report by an independent consultant.

On Wednesday, 14 people will receive their diplomas at the largest graduation ceremony ever in the King County Drug Court program. The report will be officially released then.

"It's very gratifying work when you see that there are people, who when given the opportunity, take that opportunity and sincerely want to lead a better life," said Denis O'Leary, the drug court prosecutor.

In the program, felony drug defendants are given the chance of avoiding jail time by participating in treatment and counseling.

In return, they waive their rights to a speedy trial, admit to any evidence against them and are informed of any sentence that could be imposed if they reoffend or drop out.

Defendants with any prior convictions for sex or violent offenses or any current charges for drug delivery are not allowed into the program.

The drug court judge takes an active role in the treatment process, talking at length to defendants, determining how often they should be tested for drugs, and deciding when they move from one phase of treatment to another.

If a participant drops out, the judge reviews the police report on the participant's offense and determines the person's guilt or innocence. The majority are found guilty, O'Leary said.

Far from being an easy out, the program can be much, much tougher than serving a jail sentence, the prosecutor said.

Treatment is a three-part process that lasts 12 to 15 months. It can include detoxification, group and individual counseling, urine tests for drugs, methadone treatment, acupuncture and 12-step support meetings.

Defendants must change "who they hang out with, where they live, their general philosophy, their perceptions of themselves," O'Leary said. "Many see themselves not deserving of a better life.

"It's a lot of work and requires a lot more introspection than what they've done during their drug abusing-life. By the time they graduate, it's huge accomplishment."

A random sampling of 500 drug offenders assessed by the drug court produced a profile of the average defendant: About 73 percent are male, with an average age of 34. Approximately 60 percent of all participants are minorities, with 83 percent claiming a high-school education or less.

About 66 percent of drug court participants do not work, though 75 percent have permanent housing.

When compared to the average of the 150 programs nationwide, King County came up slightly short in retention and graduation. The national average for retaining participants is 71 percent, compared with King County's 64 percent.

And King County's graduation or completion rate is 36 percent, compared with the national average of 48 percent.

The King County program has 109 graduates.