Five W.Va. Counties to Launch Drug Courts

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Posted: 8:14 AM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 8:14 AM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Five new drug courts that will handle nonviolent offenders are scheduled to open across West Virginia this year.

The new programs will serve Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties, and Kanawha, Cabell, Monongalia and Preston counties.

Linda Richmond Artimez with the state Supreme Court says drug courts typically require nonviolent offenders to undergo treatment and be supervised for at least a year or 18 months.

Artimez says the goal is to place drug offenders in a structured environment that gives them an opportunity to change their lives.

West Virginia's first drug court opened in the Northern Panhandle in 2005. Another launched in November serves Boone, Lincoln and Logan counties.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:47 PM
To rob, thats a whole different situation, and we could sit around and what if all day... This is a fantastic idea. However, as someone else mentioned its shameful that cannabis will be included in this. The only harm that comes from "Weed", is because of the fact it is illegal. The black market brings crime. with the situation the economy is in, regulated cannabis could bring hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue each year....... When will people wake up.

Posted by: rob on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:03 PM
what about first time drug dealers that never has been in trouble in there life for anything ? are they going to help those people too ?

Posted by: Donna on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:32 PM
I think that this is a good idea. I know someone that is in treatment right now. Melinda you are right. They are not going to stop unless they want to. But if you know someone that needs help and you love them ya just got to try and talk them into quiting before they end up loseing everything or end up dead.

Posted by: Jan on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:41 AM
It's better than jail. It works for some people and it seems to be needed due to the so called pill problem in the area. However, I feel it is a waste of time for someone caught with marijuana. It's a joke they have to go through treatment, but the state sees it no different than heroin.

Posted by: Melinda on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Their NOT GOING TO STOP UNLESS THEY WANT TO REALLY STOP.

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