Drug court’s first-class success | Jan. 24
Drug treatment saves lives, funds
Hillsborough County has also implemented a drug court treatment program to divert adults who have committed drug offenses from jail and prisons.
These special courts were funded by the state Legislature two years ago by diverting $13 million to build a new prison. Because many of our state leaders understand that addictions are treatable and should not result in expensive prison time, many Florida counties were able to start offering these individuals a chance to turn their lives around, stay in the community, and receive intensive drug and alcohol treatment to assist them back to a healthy life.
Over the past 18 months, the partnership in our county has accepted over 300 men and women into treatment with a very high success rate (70-plus percent). These are men and women who will remain in their own homes, continue to work and care for their families and receive alcohol and drug treatment free.
This is not an easy program and does result in some being discharged and sent to prison. However, the cost savings for those who do complete and continue to pay taxes, care for families, and maintain a healthy lifestyle amount to millions of taxpayer dollars every year.
Hillsborough County has the second highest success rate behind Orange County. Please support treatment in your community. It saves us all time, money and lives.