Thanks for the coverage

February 03, 2008 01:04 am

—

I write to thank you for excellent coverage of our recent Drug Court graduation, and the positive comments provided. While Judge Vernon Cotten, I, and the entire Drug Court Staff are grateful for the comments, I would be remiss if I did not also point out a very substantive reason for our continuing success: our community support.
Virtually all of the citizens of our jurisdiction, have been supportive of the Drug Court since day one — the Supervisors, the Circuit Court personnel, law enforcement, the general public, and the media: all have supported our efforts to rehabilitate the drug and alcohol addicted individual. That support has been directly responsible for the tremendous success of Your Drug Court.
There is absolutely no one who can say that this particular Drug Court, and the Drug Courts within the State of Mississippi, is not a success, regardless of how the term is defined. The highest ranking member of the State Judiciary, Chief Justice Jim Smith stated that he had been a doubter; however, he is now firmly convinced that the Drug Courts can, and do, save lives, taxpayer money and more importantly, rehabilitate offenders. Further, the system of "lock'm up and throw away the key" has not and will not work for the addict who truly desires rehabilitation, and there is 40 years of systemic evidence to prove that.
Again, thank you for your unfailing support: we pledge to continue to operate your drug court in a manner that will bring honor to our communities.

Marcus D. Ellis Jr.
Eighth Judicial District
Drug Court Coordinator
serving Scott, Leake, Newton and Neshoba counties