The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran an in-depth piece last week on the state’s drug courts, their popularity and their effectiveness, as part of a five-part series on accountability courts across the state. There are 35 drug courts in the state; the first was started in Macon in 1994. These courts focus on rehabilitating offenders without sending them to prison, and for many, the results are life changing. [Read more…]
Bill Proposes Sweeping Criminal Justice Changes
House Bill 1176 was introduced this week, marking several potentially progressive changes to the Georgia criminal justice system. Keeping in line with what Gov. Deal said was important in his state of the state address, lawmakers are hoping to reduce some prison terms, and divert some offenders into treatment as an alternative to incarceration. [Read more…]
Georgia Gov Deal Calls For More Drug Treatment, Less Incarceration
In his state of the state address a few weeks ago, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal promised to support further efforts to curb recidivism and close the revolving door that sends so many Georgians back to prison once released. He wants more drug courts and greater drug treatment programs for those accused of drug-related offenses, hoping to stop the addictions that often lead to criminal behavior. [Read more…]
Intense Henry County Drug Court Keeps Offenders Busy and Out of Jail
The new Henry County Drug Court is one of 33 such courts in the state. These courts are known as accountability courts and are designed to provide select offenders with an alternative to jail or prison time in exchange for an intense period of supervision and accountability, which simultaneously saves the county thousands. [Read more…]
Pill Mills Booming in GA
Surrounding states (particularly Florida) are usually the ones seen combating major pill mills and illegal prescription drug problems. Now the trade is experiencing an uptick in Georgia as well. It was inevitable, really, with tightened enforcement in Florida, that prescription drug traffickers, addicts, and unscrupulous medical professionals would set up shop here. [Read more…]
Is Heroin Use Skyrocketing In Atlanta Suburbs?
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, heroin use may be rising, particularly in the affluent suburbs of Atlanta. The story cites several instances of heroin addiction leading to lethal overdoses and questions whether or not the problem is growing. Many other major cities across the nation have also seen a jump in heroin related deaths and many others also attribute the rise to former prescription drug addicts seeking a more intense high. [Read more…]