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Drug-court advocates describe effectiveness
Tulsa businesswoman Kathlene Greer (from left), who graduated from drug court in 2007; Tulsa County District Judge Rebecca Nightingale; and actor Martin Sheen attend an event Thursday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington about the importance of drug courts. ANN HEISENFELT/for the Tulsa WorldU.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla. (right), introduces actor Martin Sheen before Sheen speaks about drug courts Thursday at the U.S. Capitol. ANN HEISENFELT/for the Tulsa World

 By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 4/1/2011  2:25 AM
Last Modified: 4/1/2011  8:51 AM

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, Tulsa County District Judge Rebecca Nightingale and a drug court graduate from Tulsa joined actor-activist Martin Sheen on Thursday to promote the effectiveness of local drug courts.

"Drug courts are a proven effective tool in reducing crime, combating drug abuse and saving taxpayer money,'' Sullivan said.

"In 2009 alone, drug court programs saved taxpayers $8.3 billion in federal and state funding while also transforming the way our criminal justice system deals with nonviolent drug offenders who are trying to turn their lives around.''

Other members of Congress joined the Oklahoma Republican at the event hosted by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, but in a room mostly filled with congressional aides, Sheen provided the star power that the association clearly hopes will spread its message.

The award-winning actor did not disappoint, delivering a passionate speech that took on a sermon-like tone as Sheen described the achievements of drug courts.

He even ended his remarks with an "Amen.''

"I hate following that,'' Sullivan quipped as he returned to the podium.

Before the event, the few members of the media in attendance were informed that Sheen, whose television-star son, Charlie Sheen, has generated massive news coverage recently, would not do interviews, and Sheen was whisked away to pose for pictures when a reporter tried to ask him about his efforts to champion drug courts.

Although Sheen provided the celebrity element, the story that no doubt left the more lasting impression came from Tulsa businesswoman Kathlene Greer, who graduated from drug court in 2007 after years of drug and alcohol abuse that led to her arrest and imprisonment.

"Today, I have an amazing life,'' Greer said, recalling the specific help she received from the Tulsa program.

Greer, who said she has been drug-free for five years, received a standing ovation.

Nightingale spoke of the history of the Tulsa drug court program, which has expanded to include courts that focus on specific areas such as veterans.

She offered figures indicating how cost effective those programs are compared to incarceration, which is the more traditional adjudication in such cases.

Nightingale also defended the programs from critics who view them as soft on crime by showing the requirements that drug court participants must meet.

Despite such claims of success, Sullivan conceded the current environment of spending cuts in Congress will make it difficult to provide more federal dollars for the program.

The program now receives roughly $80 million from the federal government, and President Barack Obama's proposed budget calls for boosting that to $100 million.

Sullivan said he supports more money but did not have a specific figure in mind.

He helped co-host Thursday's event as co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, which says it is dedicated to educating and raising awareness among lawmakers about addiction issues to increase support for expanding access to treatment.

Sullivan took a leave from Congress in 2009 and checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in California for an intensive alcohol-abuse treatment program.

Jim Myers 202-484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com

Copyright 2012 World Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Reader Comments 8 Total
gadfly (last year)
"Drug courts" should only have to be used, in the event that "drug users" break some other law, than laws against "drug use."

End the Prohibition against drug use, and treat all drug use in the same manner that we now treat alcohol and tobacco use.

Alcohol use is 100's of times more armful to society, than the use of all of the other drugs combined.

And, alcohol use is legal.
44467 (last year)
Drug offenders need treatment and they need to work. As it is now, they are warehoused in overcrowded prisons with child molesters and murderers. The prisons are bursting at the seams and every inmate added is more money the taxpayers have to provide. For most of their 24 hour days they are idle unless they are lucky enough to have a prison job. Imagine the pent up energy and anger.
irwindale (last year)
Not in lock em up Oklahoma.
Kids momma (last year)
Drug Court programs serve people with both drug and alcohol problems. The problem with these programs is there is not enough of them and state (Oklahoma) regulations make it difficult for substance abuse programs to apply for Drug Court contracts. All substance abuse facilities must be state certified, but the state apparently don’t trust their own certifications. To be able to apply for a state contract you must also be nationally accredited such as CARF certified. CARF, in today’s economy, for non-profit agencies is cost prohibitive.
Thunder196 (last year)
Drug Court programs are so vital. Yet it's like pulling teeth to get our leaders to realize how important they are.
scooter2 (last year)
Gosh didn't know they gave people addicted to drugs second chances in Oklahoma. Wow, From the talk I've heard this is Amazing...
scooter2 (last year)
Ooops I'm sorry, I guess it does depend on who the person is. Some people we do and some people we don't Right. Good thing God gives not only second chances but He gives way more than that. And trust me when it's all said and done they are gonna find out who needed his Grace the most. It won't be those you think either.
intelinside (last year)
Drug courts are local. Why is the federal government spending money on local projects? Why should a resident of California pay for a drug court in Tulsa, OK? John Sullivan, who has voted to raise the debt ceiling 8 times, should not advocate spending any more money.

Why should drug addicts get a special court anyway? Should we have car thief courts for non-violent car thieves? Should we have shoplifter courts for non-violent shoplifters?

John Sullivan needs to resign immediately.
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