Pierce County Drug Court turns five years old

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The Pierce County Drug Court celebrated its fifth anniversary earlier this month.

“It’s gone by so fast,” said Coordinator Linda Hoyt. “It seemed like we just started.”

Hoyt explained the first drug court started nationally in Dade County (Florida) in the late 1980’s, when judges there got sick and tired of seeing the same criminals in their courtrooms.

The program was then established for non-violent felony offenders (i.e. drug offenses) to give them the option of avoiding jail/prison.

“Drug court is an intensive treatment program,” she said. “Jail/prison is the easy way out.”

For more please read the Oct. 28 print version of the Herald.

Tags: local news, pierce county, drug court, news