By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb says the state has been taking significant steps to help those struggling with drug addiction get the treatment they need instead of just locking them up.
Cobb said Thursday that 25 more drug courts are in line to join 16 existing ones and that puts Alabama in a position to lead the country.
She spoke to more than 100 judges, lawyers and community corrections officials who will be involved in the expanding program and says she wants Alabama to be known for fixing people instead of filling prisons.
Drug courts allow nonviolent drug offenders to go through a lengthy program that involves intense supervision and testing while they are rehabilitated.
The charges are dropped if they stay drug free for a year.
The goal is to have at least one exemplary court in all 67 counties by 2010.
Some of the new batch of courts will be open by October 1st and the rest are shooting for January 1st.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)