Grant-funded program in would keep new drug users out of Wis. county jail

The program would keep first-time and youthful offenders out of the criminal justice process altogether

By Rick Olivio
Ashland Daily Press

ASHLAND, Wis. — Local authorities are trying to create a pre-booking, drug-diversion program that would keep first-time and youthful offenders out of the criminal justice process altogether.

The grant-funded program would join the local drug court and Ashland County Pathways program, which offer alternatives to the conventional process of facing criminal charges in circuit court, as efforts to prevent jail crowding, save money and help drug offenders.

Once the assessments are done, if the person is found eligible for the program, the drug user would have a program drawn up for him that would have specific requirements such as counseling and drug testing to ensure that he stays clean. Drug charges still would hang over his head. But if he finished the drug program successfully, they would be dropped.

FULL STORY: Program would keep new drug users out of jail