Mahoning County Common Pleas Felony Drug Court
The Mahoning County Drug Court is an innovative approach in dealing with the impact of drugs and substance abuse related crimes on our community. The Drug Court is an alternative approach in which substance abusing offenders are placed into community based treatment programs instead of being incarcerated in state prison.
Judges, attorneys, law enforcement officials and treatment professionals work collaboratively as a team to divert substance abusing offenders out of the criminal justice system and aid them in living productive and drug/alcohol free lives.
Incarceration of substance abusing offenders costs between $20,000 and $ 50,000 per person per year. In contrast, a comprehensive drug court system typically costs less than $2,500 annually for each offender or 10% of the incarceration rate.
The Justice Programs Office at American University reports that approximately 100,000 drug-using offenders have participated in drug court programs since their inception in 1989. In 1997, The General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that 71% of all offenders since 1989 have successfully completed their drug court program or are currently active in the program.
In 1999, 60-80% of all crimes at the state and local level were drug and/or related. In 2004 that figure is closer to 90% of all crimes committed are drug or alcohol related.
What Is The Drug Court Program?
First, the primary function of the Drug Court Program is to ensure that the individual lives a drug and alcohol free life. The Drug Court Program is a formal legal process where substance abusing individuals who have been arrested for non-violent, non-sex related, non-weapons related felony may choose to enter a drug rehabilitation program, instead of facing a potential jail/prison term.
Who Is Eligible?
Individuals who have currently been charged with 4th or 5th degree drug related felonies are eligible. Secondly, only individuals with non-violent, non-sex, non-weapons related charges, both past and present will be considered. Also, there has to be evidence of a drug addiction problem. Finally, drug traffickers will not be considered for the Drug Court.
What are the advantages?
Drug Court participants receive the appropriate drug or alcohol treatment. They obtain their drivers licenses, earn their GED and become employed. Participants are reunited with their families and become productive members of society. In the end, upon successful completion of the program, the felony charges are dismissed and the individual is on his/her road to recovery.
How Tough Is It To Successfully Complete?
The program is not easy….but for a motivated individual it can be life changing. Drug Court participants are to meet the following requirements:
- Not use any mood altering chemicals, including alcohol
- Submit to urine screens
Attend all counseling sessions and complete assignments
- Appear in Court on a weekly basis
- Follow all the rules of the treatment agency, T.A.S.C., the Adult Parole Authority and the Drug Court
- Avoid all criminal behavior
- Avoid and agree not to socialize with drug using people
How Successful is the Program?
Since the Felony Drug Court first became operational in 1998, over 400 participants have entered the program. There have been 200 successful graduates of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Drug Court and of that number only 10% have been charged with a new criminal offense. The national recidivism rate for drug courts is over 30%!
How Does One Become A Participant?
To become a Drug Court participant an individual needs to express interest to the Judge, their attorney, the Prosecutor or the Common Pleas Drug Court Coordinator.
- Participants in the Mahoning County Justice Center can call CCA Jail Services, (330) 744-7912, extension 3472.
- Contact the Common Pleas Drug Court Prosecutor, Jennifer Paris, at (330) 740-2330
- Contact the Common Pleas Drug Court Coordinator, Amy Klumpp at (330) 743-9509
- Contact the T.A.S.C. Case Manager (330) 743-2192
What Are The Agencies That Comprise The Drug Court Team?
Community Corrections Association
1507 Market Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44507
(330) 744-5143
Click here for a map and driving directions.
Meridian Services, Inc.
527 N. Meridian Road
Youngstown, Ohio 44509
(330) 797-0070
Click here for a map and driving directions.
Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic
2151 Rush Boulevard
Youngstown, Ohio 44507
(330) 744-1181
Click here for a map and driving directions.
TASC (Treatment Alternative to Street Crime)
105 E. Boardman Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44503
(330) 743-2192
Click here for a map and driving directions.
Adult Parole Authority
2503 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
(330) 744-8978
Click here for a map and driving directions.
Who Are The Drug Court Staff?
Honorable John M. Durkin :: Drug Court Judge
Amy J. Klumpp :: Drug Court Coordinator
Jennifer Paris :: Drug Court Prosecutor
Stephanie Frank :: Drug Court Clerk