HAMPTON VIRGINIA: NEW DRUG COURT GETS FIRST 2 PARTICIPANTS

Virginia -- Addictions landed Esstease Bellamy and Ernest Giles III in court facing prison time in Virginia on drug charges.

Bellamy and Giles admit to their addictions. They say they want help.

On Wednesday, a Virginia circuit court judge agreed to help them by making the two addicts the first clients in the Hampton, Virginia newly-formed drug court program.

Virginia Drug courts offer non-violent drug offenders an opportunity to clean up their lives while staying out of Virginia jails. In Hampton, Virginia the program has been up and running since February, but until Wednesday hadn't found eligible and willing participants.

It is a strict program that requires weekly reporting to a judge, regular drug screens, and individual and group treatment. In the first stages of the program, defendants must report to the program daily. Typically, the program lasts at least 18 months, but goes as long as the client needs to finish.

"It's not an easy program," said Virginia Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Hutton, who will serve as the primary judge for the Virginia drug court program. "It's challenging." In drug court, judges take a more active role in cases as they meet with clients weekly and closely monitor their progress through treatment.

At a hearing Wednesday, Hutton carefully questioned Bellamy and Giles about what motivated them to sign up for Virginia drug court program.

"I've been messing around for so long that I'm ready to clean up," said Giles, who faced going back to jail for violating probation on a cocaine charge. "This seems like a great opportunity."

The pair start treatment immediately. Others will join the Virginia drug court program on a rolling basis.

As of May, there were 20 communities in Virginia with active drug court programs. Another 21 communities in Virginia were planning programs, according to a survey by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. In June, Newport News drug court held its fourth graduation ceremony for participants who've met their requirements. A total of 54 people have graduated since the Newport News program started in 1998.

Funding for the programs throughout Virginia remains in question. Each program cobbles together money from many sources, including local government and private grants.

Virginia provides funding channeled down from federal grants. But local match requirements are expected to go up, said Natalie Ward, who administers the drug court programs in both Newport News and Hampton.

Right now, Hampton relies solely on direct federal funding. The Hampton court does not get state funding, but does get some money from the city. Despite the questions about future funding, officials in Hampton, Virginia say they wanted to push forward with the program because it is proven to work.

"Nothing in this life is certain," said Linda Curtis, Hampton's commonwealth's attorney. "We're doing something we think is right. And we're very hopeful we'll be able to finish what we start. We're working on faith."

Hutton says there will be money to run the Hampton, Virginia program for at least two to three years. Overall, drug courts save money, Curtis said, because it takes a group of people who typically rotate in and out of the, Virginia court system and gets them to a place where they can be productive Virginia residents.

National statistics estimate that jailing drug-using offenders costs between $20,000 and $50,000 a year.

By contrast, drug court programs typically cost less than $2,500 a year, according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

"This is an investment that may really bring us fruit in terms of fewer people in the front doors," Curtis said.

For Bellamy and Giles, Wednesday was just the first of many future court appearances.

"You ready to go to work on it?" Hutton asked Bellamy, a heroine addict with a long criminal record, who insists he's ready for change.

"Yes, sir."