[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4007-S4008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REFLECTIONS ON THE BOZEMAN DRUG COURT

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
innovative work of the Drug Treatment Court in Gallatin County, 
Montana.
  Recently I worked for a day at the Drug Court, where I witnessed the 
process of evaluating drug court cases and determining who was 
following the rules--and who was not.
  I must say, Mr. President, I was very impressed and inspired by the 
whole process--Judge Olson, his staff, the prosecutors, defense 
attorneys, parole and probation officer, counselors. And, most 
important of all, the people who have voluntarily decided to turn their 
lives around. This pilot project in Bozeman, Montana should be 
replicated around the state and nation.
  In the morning, I sat in on the briefing, where judges and all the 
parties involved in sanctioning defendants discussed--with compassion 
and sometimes frustration--their attempts to help these people get off 
and stay off of drugs and alcohol.
  Their discussions centered not on punishment, but on finding common-
sense ways to help these people addicted to drugs and alcohol find ways 
to improve their lives and be positive contributors to their 
communities.
  And, sitting later in court, I saw the genuine and sincere attempts 
of the defendants to correct their lives and stay out of jail.
  Judge Olson was remarkable. He mixed just the right amount of 
compassion with tough love to help the defendants.
  He counseled them, warned them, cajoled them, and told them he 
personally would help them find jobs so they could stay ``clean.'' His 
work is to be highly commended and copied throughout Montana.
  The defendants also showed that they can beat drugs and alcohol. One 
middle-aged man told me later that the Treatment Court was the best 
thing that ever happened in his life. He had become clean for the first 
time in 30 years. He owed his life to the Treatment Court. Now he is 
trying to find ways to help other people.
  The Treatment Court is a success story waiting to be copied. It is a 
way to keep people out of jail, off the streets and in a job.
  Yes, some people slip up and don't abide by the rules. When they do, 
Judge Olson cracks down on them. But when they succeed, Judge Olson 
praises them, and shakes their hand.
  His personal involvement in the lives of these people shows that 
justice does know compassion, that courts can be places where people 
headed for jail can make a detour--and be given a chance to redirect 
their lives. Mr. President, I want to say that I was inspired by what I 
saw last Friday in Treatment Court in Bozeman. And I want to help to 
find funding for the Bozeman Treatment Court, as well as funding for 
similar courts throughout Montana.
  Such an investment in people--in helping them become positive 
citizens in their communities rather than burdens--will save us money--
and lives--in the long run.
  And I will also work hard to help the Treatment Court find funds to 
help defendants locate affordable housing, get a good education and 
good jobs. What struck me, Mr. President, was that many of the 
defendants suffered from a lack of education. My work day in 
Treatment Court reminded of the importance and power of education, as 
well as the importance of creating good-paying jobs.

  Along with families, they are the building blocks of a strong and 
health society, and help keep people off drugs and alcohol.
  Count me a supporter of this successful program.
  The treatment court idea embodies steps crucial to curbing the 
influence of drugs on our society.
  Nationally, such treatment courts are a relatively new idea. The 
first drug courts were created in Florida in 1989, under the 
supervision of Janet Reno.
  She and others realized that the solution to the rising number of 
drug related cases was not to increase the capacity of the criminal 
justice system--but to reduce the number of drug users.

[[Page S4008]]

  The Gallatin Treatment Court is only seven months old. And while its 
first participants have yet to graduate, based on my experience I 
believe most will succeed.
  Roger Curtiss, who works with the Drug Court and heads the non-profit 
Alcohol and Drug Services program of Gallatin County, told me how he 
overcame his own drug addiction problems after being placed in a 
similar program.
  I also learned what a dedicated and talented staff Roger has 
supporting him in his efforts to reduce the scourge of drugs.
  I remain committed to fighting illegal drug use in Montana. While I 
believe that treatment courts such as Gallatin County's will play an 
increasing role in the fight against drugs, other steps must be taken.
  In January I invited drug czar Barry McCaffrey to Montana for a 
conference. He spoke to dozens of Montanans about the challenge posed 
by methamphetamine and other drugs.
  One experience sticks out in particular. At the town hall meeting we 
had a man named Wayne approach the microphone to address the group. He 
fidgeted as he told his story about being addicted to meth for nearly 
20 years. He said, ``People don't understand the affect of this drug. 
It tears the brains up. It rips the family apart. It has a hold that 
never lets go.''
  Mr. President, Wayne is not alone. Across Montana and rural America, 
meth and other drugs are tearing families--and communities--apart.
  In January the DEA reported that eighth graders in rural America are 
83 percent more likely to use crack cocaine than their urban 
counterparts. And they are 104 percent more likely to use meth.
  The bottom line is that drugs destroy lives and communities.
  The solution to the ongoing fight against drugs will be found only 
through constant innovation of the type demonstrated by Gallatin 
County's Treatment Court and similar programs across the nation.
  To that end I have introduced legislation to make Montana part of the 
Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
  The bill would allow Montana to embark on an intensive, statewide 
media campaign and hire additional personnel for methamphetamine 
prosecution.
  And because WHAT you know depends so much on WHO you know, the 
measure would establish a state-wide criminal intelligence network, 
allowing law-enforcement officials in all 56 counties to share 
information on criminal activity.
  Mr. President, if I learned one thing from my meetings with the 
General McCaffrey and last Friday's visit to the treatment court, it is 
that there are many committed individuals fighting the drug problem.
  The trick is to get them all together working to the same end: 
treatment, prevention and law enforcement must all coordinate their 
efforts to fight the scourge of drugs.
  We in Congress must do the same. At the end of last session the 
Senate passed legislation to fight meth, by beefing up law enforcement 
and treatment resources throughout the nation.
  Both S. 486--sponsored by Senator Ashcroft--and an amendment to the 
Bankruptcy Bill--sponsored by Senator Hatch--passed the Senate.
  Unfortunately, both bills have languished in the House of 
Representatives. Neither has been acted upon, and the legislative days 
for the 106th Congress are numbered. I urge my colleagues in the House 
to act now to strengthen resources in the fight against illegal drugs, 
meth in particular.
  Finally, I want to again recognize the efforts of the Bozeman Drug 
Court and thank them for allowing me to witness their innovative and 
inspiring work first-hand.
  Drug Court is an alternative, but it's not easy. For many it is just 
as difficult as serving time.
  In fact, I witnessed one individual who, after continually breaking 
the rules, was kicked out of drug court. Now he faces five years of 
jail time.
  But with our jails bursting at the seams and the drug problem 
mushrooming in rural areas, I believe the Drug Court is an effective 
tool in fighting the drug problem we face.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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