by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE:  Fred Swift commentaries are posted on LarryInFishers.com as part of a partnership between the Hamilton County Reporter)

In a previous column on Hamilton County’s struggle with the widespread problem
on drug use, addiction and the sometimes fatal results, I failed to mention the County
Drug Court. Now in its eighth year, this component in the local effort to reform dangerous
drug users and addicts is presided over by Judge Gail Bardach in Hamilton Superior
Court 6.

The idea is to get successful treatment for drug addicts.  The actual treatment is conducted by certified addiction centers located in the county.  But, the process also includes supervision by the court’s drug team whose members include Judge Bardach, the
program director and assistant, court case managers, a deputy prosecutor, a pauper
defense attorney, and members of local treatment centers.

Although voluntary on the part of participants, there are strong incentives
to participate. For example, entering the court’s 18 to 24 month program can sometimes
allow a drug offender to avoid an even lengthier prison sentence. The program does not
take individuals who are known to have sold drugs. Drug dealers are still prosecuted
under criminal law.

Judge Bardach says the mission of her program is to enable participants to become
productive members of the community, reduce costs to taxpayers and cut jail
overcrowding. Participants are required to be employed or, if not, get a job by the time
they enter the program. They will then pay their own treatment expenses and any other
fees associated with the program.

The drug court team arranges for regular court appearances, appointments with
a case manager, random urine screening, home visits, progress reports from treatment
providers, and contact with employers or others with whom the participant
may associate.

It is not an easy way to ‘kick the habit’ or avoid jail, but in at least 50 percent
of the cases the program has experienced success. Most of the time there are 30 to
35 folks enrolled. They are all Hamilton County residents, at least 18 years old and
are non-violent offenders.

Enrollment in the drug court program comes through various means. Police often
refer a case to the court, but family members or school officials can bring a
situation to the court’s attention, or a person knowing he or she has a problem could
volunteer to enroll.

The court, like similar courts in about half of Indiana’s counties, is sanctioned
by the state. After completing the rigorous course, a graduation is held. The next is
scheduled for Aug. 7. Following graduation some participants have been known
to mentor others in need of help in staying away from the drug world.