CONNECTICUT EYES DRUG CARE FOR RURAL AREAS

Crime Control Digest, Oct 29, 2004

Connecticut for the first time will introduce a drug court into a rural area in a program expansion that recognizes substance abuse has extended beyond the urban core.

Heroin addiction has become a major problem in small towns and farming communities.

Previously, Connecticut had used drug courts only in the larger cities.

The Windam Judicial District will operate the drug intervention program in conjunction with Perception Program Inc., which will be the primary treatment provider.

The Windham program will begin with 10 offenders and has funding to expand to treatment for 30.

Chief Court Administrator Joseph H. Pellegrino said a law enforcement advisory committee recommended setting up the first program outside an urban area.

Willimantic Police Chief Lisa Maruzo-Bolduc was one of the primary backers of the program.

The judicial district received $177,000 of the $500,000 in grants the state legislature approved for court-run programs.

The legislature ended drug courts as separate entities two years ago, but revived the program in fiscal 2004 as a judicial "intervention" program.