News Releases for March 2003
March 27, 2003
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Hoeven Signs Drug Court Legislation
New Law Makes Successful Pilot Program Permanent
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today signed into law House Bill 1191, which will make permanent an innovative pilot program that combines courts, corrections and treatment services to lower the repeat rate of drug offenders and put them on the road to recovery. The program, which applies to offenders sentenced for driving while under the influence, was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2003. The bill was sponsored by Reps. Ron Carlisle, RaeAnn Kelsch and Andrew Maragos, and Sens. Stanley Lyson, Larry Robinson and Bob Stenehjem.
Drug Court gives non-violent drug and alcohol offenders who commit crimes because of chemical addiction an opportunity to participate in an intensive treatment program as part of their sentence.
Hoeven, who has pushed hard for Drug Courts throughout the state, said, “Drug Court not only reclaims lives, but it also saves taxpayer dollars. Today, we make it a permanent and cost-effective tool for our courts and corrections department.”
Hoeven thanked Chief Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle, Justice Mary Muehlen Maring, and District Judges Gail Hagerty and Bruce Haskell, as well as district judges, legislators, treatment counselors and corrections officers for their efforts to establish the program.
Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, said, “I am pleased the three branches of government recognize the value of drug courts. They are a prudent moral and economic public policy for North Dakota. The Judicial branch appreciates the support of the Governor and Legislature in establishing the juvenile and adult drug courts.”
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said, “This is an integral part of our comprehensive program to combat substance abuse in North Dakota.”
Rep. Ron Carlisle, a House sponsor of the bill, said, “Drug Court gives people a chance to salvage their lives. When a person graduates from the program, he or she is a better person and a better citizen.”
The program is not an easy way out for offenders, who are required to participate in a demanding drug treatment program while under intensive probation supervision by corrections officers. In addition, offenders must be either full-time students or participate in 40 hours a week of community service. During the first phase of the program, they must attend court every week. It takes a minimum of 12 months to complete the program.
Since it began two years ago, 39 offenders have been sentenced to the program, nine have graduated and six have been terminated. Twenty-four individuals are currently participating.
Judge Bruce Haskell and Judge Gail Hagerty are the lead judges in Burleigh County District. “I think I speak for both of us in saying we are involved in the drug court program because we believe it works in a positive way,” Hagerty said. “Drug Court is a cost effective way to deal with the offenders. It helps build their lives and families in a way incarceration never would, and because it works, the community is a better and safer place.”
Haskell added, “We’re grateful for the strong support our program has received from the Governor and the Legislature. Our efforts continue to be successful, and their ongoing support is both welcome and worthy.”
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