Oregon Drug Court To Close Its Doors
The well-known STOP drug Court of Multnomah County is falling victim to budget crunches that plague the entire country. What separates this court from others, however, was its reputation as one of the first effective alternative drug courts in the country. Officials from across the country and around the world traveled to Multnomah County to see how the court worked.
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How it worked was by giving drug addicts a second chance at living a crime free life. People charged with non-violent drug offenses were given an option of completing a probation-like period in order to get their charges thrown out. They pled guilty and then completed the program. If they “graduate” successfully, the case is abandoned.
This is a far cry from regular criminal court where the approach has always been to lock them up and throw away the key. If they were granted probation, they were often only sent a letter to ensure their compliance, according to this Oregonian article. The STOP court really addressed the root of the problem for many offenders, drug addiction.
While the Multnomah county STOP court is currently the only one shutting down, one can only hope none of the others across the state will have to follow suit. Programs like these are a benefit to the community and the addicts they serve. People who simply serve time are more likely to come out and reoffend than those who put an effort into rehabilitation.
There are alternative sentencing and diversion options across the state that attempt to aid people charged with drug offenses. While some counties have similar STOP courts, others do what they can to ensure that people facing these charges are given the help that they need.
If you are facing a drug charge in any Oregon county, you are likely interested in what alternative programs your county offers. Call today for a consultation on your case and so we can discuss the options you have.
