Published: September 27, 2007 11:38 pm         

Vigo drug court celebrates anniversary

Vigo County’s drug court saved taxpayers nearly $3 million in first 10 years since its 1996 launch

TERRE HAUTE — The Vigo County Drug Court saved taxpayers nearly $3 million over 10 years from its inception in 1996 to June 2006, according to a new report commissioned by the Indiana Judicial Center.

The evaluation, by NPC Research of Portland, Ore., studied Vigo, Marion, Monroe, Vanderburgh and St. Joseph counties’ drug courts, and was funded by a $250,000 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The study was designed to show whether the drug courts reduce recidivism (re-arrest of offenders after completing the program), whether they save taxpayers money, whether they reduce substance abuse and whether they deliver services to the targeted population.

For every question explored in the study, the answers were positive, making the 11th anniversary of Vigo County’s drug court – “almost to the day,” according to Judge Barbara Brugnaux – a sweet one.

Brugnaux said the results of the study “blew me away.”

Among other findings, the Oregon research company found that the re-arrest rate for graduates of the Vigo County Drug Court is 7 percent, compared to a 39 percent re-arrest rate for nonparticipants.

For those participants in drug court who did not complete the program, the re-arrest rate is 20 percent.

The taxpayer savings were calculated for Vigo County by determining the cost per participant in drug court, which is $3,684, compared with the adjudication costs for nonparticipants, which is $7,935.

The difference – $4,251 per participant – was multiplied by the 697 drug-court participants from September 1996 to June 2006 for a total savings of $2.96 million.

Brugnaux proudly announced the results of the study on Thursday as she stood in the new Vigo County Superior Court Division 5 courtroom. On the wall of the courtroom are photographs of children and infants of successful past drug court participants and graduates, she said.

Drug court is an option for individuals who are arrested and charged with crimes, whether the charges are drug-related or not.

The stated mission of court is to offer a sentencing alternative for nonviolent, substance-abusing or -dependent offenders to reduce substance use and crime within the community. The program uses a team approach to increase recovery opportunities for participants.

If an individual is determined by the prosecutor’s office and the court to have a drug problem, the individual can be recommended for drug court.

The most common offenses for placement in the program include methamphetamine use, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and marijuana use.

Participants in the program submit to regular drug screens. Ninety-two percent of drug screens have come back negative, drug-court records show. The most common positives are marijuana and meth, according to data from the drug court.

According to data from the court, as of September 2006, nine drug-free babies had been born to participants.

Brugnaux said Thursday that the report will allow Vigo County to seek funding for the drug court from the Indiana Legislature.

The drug-court program has been supported in part by federal grant dollars, by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and a Vigo County Drug Court user fee fund. Brugnaux said some funding also has come from the county Prosecutor’s Office and the County Council.

But with the results of the study, the drug-court team plans to start gearing up for 2009 – the next budget year in the Legislature – to ask for appropriations.

In the meantime, Brugnaux said the team plans to get the data out to potential supporters and to make contacts with legislators.

Several members of the drug court staff came to hear the announcement Thursday, donning polo shirts that proclaimed “Drug court works.”

Bernie Burns, director of the Vigo County Court Alcohol and Drug Program, said, “It’s nice to have concrete figures to show the program’s effectiveness … those of us working with it every day know what it can do, but this will help us convince others.”

Kathleen Bell-Walker, executive director for Recovery Associates Inc. in Terre Haute, said the results of the study will make a huge difference in the ongoing efforts of the drug-court program.

“It’s just excellent,” she said.

Bell-Walker gave a congratulatory hug to Eve Fears, case manager with the drug court, who said, “This is awesome.

“We know we make a difference, but to see it in writing – it’s nice to know that what we do not only benefits our clients, but also has a financial benefit for Vigo County taxpayers,” Fears added.

Over time, according to the study, there can be a return of up to $5.37 for every $1 invested in the drug-court program.

The combined savings associated with all five drug courts studied totaled more than $7 million, according to the study.

Deb McKee can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.