Florida Matters: Drug Court:Treatment, Not Jail (February 5, 2010)

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Drug Court: Treatment, Not Jail

People arrested for drug crimes often face jail time and perhaps court-ordered rehabilitation or treatment. In drug court, that’s flipped around: outpatient or residential treatment, regular check-ins with a judge, and jail time as a last resort. The program mixes criminal justice and social services in an effort to help nonviolent offenders -- and save the system money -- by keeping them from relapsing. This week, we’ll visit the drug court in Florida’s Sixth Circuit to see what happens and why it’s making a difference in participants’ lives.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Tuesday at 6:30 PM on WUSF 89.7²

Radio Guests

Dee Anna FarnellDrug Court Judge in Florida’s Sixth Circuit

Tom McGradyChief Judge of Florida’s Sixth Circuit

Wayne ReeseParticipant in the Sixth Circuit Drug Court Program

Audio extras

Chief Judge Tom McGrady says although the drug court program is expensive, it’s more expensive not to provide treatment for drug addiction. (1:10)

Drug court Judge Dee Anna Farnell explains why she doesn't think the drug court program is just coddling offenders. (1:26)

McGrady and Farnell outline their efforts to win grants to provide more treatment options in drug cases. Farnell also explains a federally funded program they are developing to work with women addicted to opiates. (2:02)

McGrady says drug court is dependent on grants from other groups to operate, but he says the program is not always a priority during tough economic times. (1:03)

Radio: Related Links

Adult Drug Court Program - Sixth Judicial Circuit

Drug Court Program Statewide Information

Drug Court Information Clearinghouse - American University

Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco counties)

Related Files

The Pinellas-Pasco Drug Court annual report for 2008 (PDF)

Details about the program’s post-adjudicatory expansion (PDF)

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us each week as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the important challenges facing our community and our state.