Drug court not worth the effort
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – “Nothing comes for free,” said Darke County Judge Jonathan Hein. “In the past we hadn’t done anything about a drug court because it wasn’t worth the effort.”

Hein was referring to the additional funding possible to set up a drug docket in Darke County. “If you establish a drug docket you have to follow the rules that go along with it.” He noted it was the same for any specialized docket. Miami County for instance has a drug court. Franklin County has a commercial litigation court. There are also special courts for veterans and mental health.

In a recent interview, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services Brad Reed noted these courts are a way to establish procedures for these specialized areas.

“Your judges (Hein) and (Municipal Court Judge Julie Monnin) are already doing that. They’re taking these factors into consideration; they aren’t incarcerating, they’re trying to intervene and rehabilitate.”

At the same time he noted they could also apply for funding for a drug court if they feel it would be beneficial to their efforts.

According to Hein it’s more about the paperwork involved and the specific rules they would have to follow. He added there are no current plans to apply for drug court status. “I’d manage the docket the same way anyhow.”

Hein also noted the chances for additional grant dollars would be questionable since he’s already gotten a sizable grant from the state.

“There are 150 to 180 different probation departments in the state,” he said. “We are one of 20 receiving a Probation Improvement Grant. That’s $10,000 a month. Half of that goes to Mental Health and Darke Recovery. We’re doing it with no money.

“It’s not like they’re going to give us any more money anyway. They want to spread it out.”

Using the resources to help with those types of cases allows Hein and Darke County Probation to address the new state sentencing requirements.

“Judges don’t mind following the law,” Hein said, referring to the requirement for increased local services for non-violent F4 and F5 offenders. “But who’s the public going to get mad at?”

In several recent sentencings Hein has often leaned hard, verbally, on the offender. He was giving local jail time or community sanctions to offenders who might otherwise have gone to prison. He’s making it clear he’s following the law.

“I tell you to let the public know.” He added it also serves another purpose. “I do that to ‘light’ them up. I don’t internalize it… I’d burn out if I did.”

Published courtesy of The Early Bird