DeWine seeks to create more drug courts, other specialty courts

SANDUSKY — Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday he'll seek millions of dollars in the new state budget for 2020 and 2021 to create 30 new specialty courts, such as drug courts, throughout Ohio.Erie County already started to try to revive its drug court. The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties will seek the new state money if it becomes available, said Brenda Cronin, executive director of the agency.DeWine said his new proposed budget, which will be released soon, will ask for $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to create 15 new specialty court dockets, and another $5 million in Fiscal Year 2021 to support the new specialty courts and create another 15 new ones.The local Mental Health and Recovery Board began efforts a few months ago to set up a drug court for adults in Erie County and is working with local Common Pleas judges to make that happen. Erie County has a drug court for juveniles but has not had one for adults for several years. Cronin said Tuesday that if state money for specialty courts becomes available, she will seek some of it for Erie County.Asked if Erie County would appear to be a strong candidate, Cronin said, "I would think so."DeWine announced his initiative while paying a visit to the Mahoning County Drug Court in Youngstown.The governor said increasing the number of specialty court dockets such as drug courts and mental health courts is part of his RecoveryOhio initiative to help people with a substance abuse disorder or mental health condition."Specialty dockets give judges the flexibility necessary when they encounter someone in the court system who is may benefit more from treatment for substance use disorder rather than serving jail time," DeWine said. "These specialty courts are a proven way to hold those with substance use disorder accountable and ensure participation in mental health and addiction treatment."The Ohio Supreme Court has been encouraging Ohio counties to create more specialty courts.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.Drug court graduates Sean Barnett, left, and Kylie Zunk, were honored at a recent drug court graduation in Ottawa County. Gov. Mike DeWine is seeking funding to open more drug courts in other Ohio locations.