Drug treatment court officials answer public’s questions

A new era in the Washington County justice system is less than two weeks away from becoming reality, and Wednesday night a public meeting was held to answer questions and offer information about it.

4. Ambiguity in city zoning codes.

The drug treatment court, a system already being used in Athens and Hocking counties and other jurisdictions scattered around the nation, is tentatively scheduled to hear its first case Jan. 28, Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Kerenyi told the group of about 50 people gathered in the second-floor courtroom of Marietta Municipal Court.

The court essentially offers drug possession offenders who qualify the option of enrolling in a treatment program rather than going to jail.

“It’s voluntary, but of course the other option is serving jail time,” Kerenyi said. The program is funded through grants, approximately $300,000, and expected to be cost-neutral for the county.

To function effectively, the program requires the cooperation of agencies that include the court, law enforcement agencies and three treatment providers – Oriana House, L&P Services and Hopewell Health, all of which provide an array of services for people and families with substance use disorder problems.

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