Erie County trying to bring back drug court

SANDUSKY — Common Pleas judges in Erie County agreed to work to reestablish a drug court to handle cases for defendants who need drug treatment.The county's juvenile court judge, Robert DeLamatre, also is working to establish a family dependency recovery court to help parents who have a drug problem.DeLamatre runs a drug court for juvenile defendants but Erie County has not had a drug court for adults for years.The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties sought to reestablish a drug court in Erie County.Judges in Erie County have the option of threatening jail time to pressure defendants into getting treatment for drug addictions.But Brenda Cronin, executive director of the agency, said a drug court can help a person go through treatment.Court staff and providers help a person by making sure services are provided, Cronin said."You work together as a team to help that person become successful," Cronin said.Cronin told the mental health board she met with judges Tygh Tone, Roger Binette and DeLamatre and all expressed support for a drug court.Binette said he agreed to try to revive the drug court but said it's important that the three Common Pleas judges, Judge Beverly McGookey, Tone and himself, and their magistrates all follow a consistent policy so that defendants are treated the same way no matter who is handling the case.Binette said defendants dealing with drug issues need consistency, structure and accountability.The last drug court fell apart because depending upon who was handling the case, a defendant who failed might immediately be ordered to jail, or told his case would be dealt with in a few days, Binette said. The drug court also had trouble keeping good counselors, he said.When the program started failing to deliver consistency, structure and accountability, "I pulled out of it," Binette said.He said he agrees a drug court can be effective if it's done right.Tone said he has been wanting to revive the drug court.Typically, a defendant meets with counselors and an attorney every other week to see how the person is doing, with sanctions possible if the person is not doing well, Tone said.DeLamatre said with a drug court, therapy is brought into the judicial process, rather than simply sending someone out to get treatment.It's a very immediate approach."You try to hit the client in crisis," he said.Although the drug court tries to provide help and encouragement, it also provides the judge with tools to try to get an offender back on the straight and narrow, DeLamatre said.If an addict resumes using drugs, "the court can immediately sanction you. We don't have to have a hearing," DeLamatre said.Binette said a swift response to backsliding is important."They need sanctions right away," he said.DeLamatre said the seriousness of dealing with drug issue is underscored by the fact than an opiate addict typically faces three possible outcomes: Prison, death or recovery.The Ohio Supreme Court is making a big push for specialized docket courts, Binette said.Examples of specialized docket courts for adults in Ohio include drug courts, mental health courts, OVI courts, domestic violence courts, child support courts, human trafficking courts, re-entry courts, veterans courts and family dependency treatment courts.All such courts are certified by Ohio Supreme Court officials.Obtaining certification from the Ohio Supreme Court for a drug court is a comprehensive process, Tone said.Bryan Hofacker gets hugs and words of congratulations from his friends, family and supporters following a small graduation ceremony for him at the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas. Hofacker was the first person to graduate from the Ottawa County Drug Addiction Treatment Alliance program, the mission of which is to help treat drug abusers and lead them to sobriety through coaching, care and support.Judge Bruce Winters presents Jeff Schill with his diploma from the drug addiction treatment alliance at the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court on Thursday, Jan. 11. Ottawa County has a drug court for adults, and Erie County judges have decided they want one, too.