Drug Offenders Get Clean Slate in White County

It`s something state lawmakers have been calling for, to help Arkansas lower it`s growing number of drug convictions, and last week in White County, a drug court held it`s first session. County leaders say because they have such a large rural area, Sheriff`s deputies spend plenty of time chasing drug offenders, and theirs is one of the state`s worst drug problems. "I`m gonna say approximately 30 new drug cases each month, added to the volume she`s already doing," said Phyllis Hendrix, deputy prosecuting attorney. Instead of jail, certain first-offense drug users can be sent to drug court. Drug makers or dealers can not participate. They report to Judge Craig Hannah`s drug court once a week. "I try to reinforce all the positive things they`ve done, like attend all the meetings, go to drug counseling, passing their urinalysis test," Hannah said. But the court does have a 3-strike system, sending offenders to jail for breaking the rules. Hannah adds that statistics say less then four percent of those who successfully complete the program return to the court system. Saline County also started a drug court this summer.