Pubdate: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 Source: Daily Press (VA) Copyright: 2002 The Daily Press Contact: http://www.dailypress.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585 Author: Tamu Tucker Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) DRUG COURT FUNDING Reference the Nov. 4 article on drug court funding, "Budget threatens gun, drug programs." As one who has a family member involved in the Newport News Drug Court program, I am deeply concerned and angry that such a valuable program might be eliminated. Finally we have something that actually works in treating substance abuse and our government is wiping it out. They tend to be focusing more on the roads than on people. Does the Warner administration realize that they are setting Virginia back in time? Sure, I know the money has to come from someplace, but why do those who need the most always get the least or end up paying the price for bureaucratic failure? People in drug court are finally getting their lives together and are learning to live a normal life without drugs and crime. That ought to account for something. I say cut something else, but save drug court programs. If saving human lives does not matter, what does? Tamu Tucker Newport News - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom