To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Adult Drug Court

Initiator

Judge Frank Jordan

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 the Superior Court of the

Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, the 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 (23)

twenty-three participants in this program. Although it is probable that we

will have to eventually remove some individuals from the program due to

non-compliance with requirements, we have not had to removed any individuals

from the program thus far.

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, 2008. 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. AT A MINIMUM WE CAN EXPECT

APPROXIMATELY $50,000 WHICH IS THE AMOUNT WE RECEIVED DURING FY08. 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 September 29,

2007 and has a total of (23) twenty-three participants in the program as of

March 5, 2008; and,

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

can be released form 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.

___________

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

the

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

vote of

_____________members of said Council.

Councilor Allen 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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