BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
21/11/2008
Belarusians learn about local justice system
Medical professionals concentrate on response to drug and alcohol abuse
By MICHAEL FARRELL
Herald Writer
Ten medical professionals from Belarus - all of whom work in the area of drug and alcohol abuse, including psychologists and social workers - visited Grundy County Tuesday.
They were in the United States with the International Visitors Center of Chicago. It was recommended they visit Grundy County because of the reputation of the programs provided by the Education Service Network.
Tuesday morning, they were at the Braceville United Methodist Church, where they met with Jim Monferdini, superintendent of Braceville Elementary School; Jeff May, executive director of the Education Service Network; Paula Goodwin, coordinator of the No Tolerance Task Force; and Joan Leigh and Cherry Powell, prevention coordinators.
After lunch, they met with Circuit Judge Robert Marsaglia and State's Attorney Sheldon Sobol to learn about drug court and other programs for dealing with substance abuse in the criminal justice system.
Judge Marsaglia explained that drug court is only about one year old in Grundy County.
"It involves intensive contact with the individual. The person must come to court once a week and appear before a judge," he said.
There is a team that deals with each drug court participant, including a police officer, counselor, probation officer, the defense attorney and the prosecutor.
Each person entering drug court signs a contract and follows a specific program, which includes getting treatment, finding a job or going to school. They must submit to drug tests and the police officer has the right to enter their residence at any time of the day or night.
The officer knows who they live with, their routine and their habits, Judge Marsaglia said.
They must attend three Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week, plus attend any other treatment recommended by their counselor.
"Drug court is new here, only about one year old," Judge Marsaglia said. "We have had some great successes and miserable failures."
State's Attorney Sobol explained that, following an arrest, a review of the police reports and prior arrests indicates who might be a good candidate for drug court.
Sometimes the defense attorney will recommend their client for drug court.
Sobol said there are people in drug court who were not charged with a drug offense, but often other crimes, such as theft or burglary, are the result of drug abuse.
Prior to entering drug court, the individual pleads guilty and learns what their sentence will be if they fail to successfully complete drug court.
Asked about success stories and failures, Sobol recounted the story of a woman with a young child who was addicted to heroin. Since entering drug court, she has completed every step, obtained a job with a large company and received two promotions.
The living conditions for her and her child have greatly improved. The discipline and structure she has brought to her life are now also part of her child's life.
Sobol said a failure was a 22-year-old man, addicted to heroin, who was about to have his probation revoked. He attempted to manipulate the system and failed three drug tests.
The first time he received a week in jail. The second, 30 days of in-patient treatment. With the failure of the third drug test, he was sentenced to four years in prison.
One of the professionals from Belarus said in some villages in that country, 60 to 70 percent of the people have problems with alcohol.
Sobol said alcohol abuse often leads to domestic violence. Grundy County has a domestic violence court, in which individuals must undergo an evaluation, then complete a 26-week course, which includes weekly meetings.
Out of about 275 who have completed domestic violence court, only 10 or 12 have been arrested again for that offense, Sobol said.
Sobol said alcohol abuse can lead to far more serious incidents, like the tragic accident Nov. 6, in which a mother and her two children were killed by a driver who was charged with being intoxicated.
Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Belarus is located between Poland, Ukraine and Russia. It has a population of 9.7 million and the capital is Minsk.
Source:
http://morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2008/11/23/news/287cgrulearnaboutmed.txt
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