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Indianapolis county invests in drug court

By Staff Writer

Drug addiction costs the U.S. $484 billion every year, according to Drug Addiction Facts. Rehabilitation facilities can help individuals struggling with substance dependency, but for those who find themselves in trouble with the law, this may not be an option. One Indiana community is working to fix this flaw in the justice system, the Indy Star reports.

Hamilton County says it will begin a program that allows addicts to opt for substance abuse treatment, instead of potential jail time. Prior to this, traditional punishment was one of the only ways the county dealt with addicts who broke the law. Now, the drug court will give individuals a real opportunity to turn their lives around.

"Jails just don't work for a lot of people," Hamilton Superior Court Judge Gail Bardach told the news source. "They don't work for people who have multiple quality-of-life issues, and that's what drug addicts have."

Nearly 30 counties in Indianapolis have drug courts. A 2007 study of five courts in the state found that the programs saved approximately $3.5 million annually. Rehabilitation facilities can help give addicts a new lease on life.