BUILD ON HANCOCK SUCCESS

At a time when legislators are contemplating how to deal with overcrowded jails, incarceration alternatives like the Hancock County Deferred Sentencing Project that have proven their value deserve further support.

Jesse Kovacs described the Hancock County drug court as “the most enduring and difficult thing I’ve ever been a part of.” But, the first person admitted to the program who graduated earlier this month added with pride, “it’s also the first thing that I’ve completed.” The Hancock court, unlike those in other counties, is not funded by the state, but its success in helping addicts like Mr. Kovacs is no less important. That’s why lawmakers should support LD 244, which would appropriate $150,000 a year for the Office of Substance Abuse. Officials with the Hancock court are confident their project would successfully compete for the funds.

The Hancock program was begun in 2004 by local residents concerned about the county’s growing drug problem. Like other drug courts, selected drug offenders plead guilty in exchange for at least a year of treatment, supervision and counseling rather than a jail term. Five drug courts already exist, but state funding has not been available for the one in Hancock County.

Community members applied for grant funds and received $50,000 from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and $100,000 from the federal government. Retired Justice Paul Pierson, who served on the Superior Court in Bucksport, volunteered his services.

Mr. Kovacs was the first person accepted into the program in 2005 after becoming addicted to pain medication and trying to steal money from an employer to feed his drug habit. He served time in jail, but after violating the terms of his probation faced incarceration again. That’s when he was referred to the drug court.

Although he had relapses, he stuck with the program. He is now working toward a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.

The other seven graduates of the program are all employed. Thirteen others are enrolled in the program, which has enough money to make it through this year, thanks to another grant from the King Foundation and $70,000 from individual donors.

Without state support, this valuable program may not survive. That would be a loss not only to Hancock County. Because of its frugality, the program has found ways to save money that it has shared with the state’s other drug courts. For example, it found a drug testing company that charged half what the other courts were paying. All now use the less expensive company.

The Hancock project, with its use of volunteers and grant money, can also be a model for other courts, but only if it exists. The small amount of money in LD 244 is a small price to pay for the benefits – financial and otherwise – of the Hancock program.