To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Adult Felony Drug Court

Initiator

Judge Frank J. Jordan, Jr.

Recommendation

Approval is requested to submit an application and, if approved accept funding \n \n for an undetermined amount from the Judicial Council of Georgia.

Approval

Approved

Background

Drug Court is a five-phase intervention program for adults who have pled guilty

to one or more nonviolent felony offenses and who are having difficulty staying

clean and sober. It is a collaborative effort between Superior Court of the

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, Columbus Consolidated Government, District

Attorney's Office, Public Defender?s Office, Probation Office, Drug Court

staff, law enforcement agencies and treatment providers. By working together,

we seek to provide a variety of programs and consistent supervision geared

toward supporting and helping offenders maintain a drug-free life. Drug Court

involves frequent court appearances, random drug testing as well as group

counseling.



The Court awards incentives for compliant behavior and imposes sanctions for

negative behavior. Participants who do not comply with the rules may be placed

in short-term custody, moved back to the previous phase of Drug Court or a

variety of other sanctions. They may also be terminated from Drug Court. The

targeted participant is a first or second offender charged with drug possession

(not sale or trafficking charges) with no violent felony history and no gang

related history, who signs a contract to become and remain drug free. To

successfully complete Drug Court, offenders are required to be involved in

several activities which will benefit and sustain recovery. As a participant

in the Muscogee County Drug Court Program, participants will be required to:

engage in substance abuse counseling; attend frequent court sessions; meet with

drug court staff; submit to random drug screening; attend support meetings;

obtain employment or attend school; obtain a GED; pay court fines and

restitution; submit to searches of automobiles and residences and pay treatment

costs.

Analysis

Since beginning this program on September 29, 2007 we have had (48) forty eight

participants in this program. We have terminated a total of seven

participants.

Financial Considerations

No matching funds are required.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible for funding for this program.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approve the submission of this grant proposal to continue the Muscogee County

Adult Drug Court.





A RESOLUTION

NO. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL

OF GEORGIA TO FUND THE MUSCOGEE COUNTY ADULT DRUG COURT PROGRAM FOR A ONE-YEAR

PERIOD BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 2009. FUNDING IS DETERMINED UTILIZING A FORMULA

AND THE AMOUNT IS NOT DETERMINED UNTIL THE STATE OF GEORGIA ALLOCATES FUNDS AND

THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IS DETERMINED AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENT

FUND BY A LIKE AMOUNT. THE GRANT DOES NOT REQUIRE MATCHING FUNDS.

WHEREAS, funds have been made available by the Judicial Council of Georgia for

the continuation of Adult Felon Drug Courts; and,

WHEREAS, the Muscogee County Adult Drug Court began operations on October 1,

2007. Since its inception, the court has had a total of (48) forty eight

participants, seven of which have been terminated; and,

WHEREAS, this program provides a viable means by which qualified drug offenders

can be released from jail, participate in an intensive rehabilitation process

and upon successful completion of the program have their charges dismissed; and,



WHEREAS, participants are required to pay for the cost of treatment,

drug screens and an administrative fee in order to participate in the drug

court program.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:



That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application and if

approved accept a grant from the Judicial Council of Georgia to continue the

operation of the Muscogee County Adult Drug Court and amend the

Multi-Government Fund by the award of the grant.

_________________________________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held

the _________day of _____________, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _______members of said Council.





Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Anthony voting __________.

Councilor Baker voting __________.

Councilor Barnes voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting .

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Hunter voting __________.

Councilor McDaniel voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.



___________________________________ _____________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor

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