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| Kentucky passes substance abuse recovery bill |
| By Louisville City Hall Examiner |
| Published: 03/05/2009 |
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March 4 A proposed law that would allow Kentucky addicts to avoid lengthy sentences by successfully completing drug treatment passed the House Judiciary Committee today. On February 5 the bill was passed unanimously by a Senate vote of 35-0. Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly (R. Springfield), and Sen. Minority Floor Leader Ed Worley (D. Richmond), would require that local jails screen felony drug offenders when they are booked to determine what treatment, if any, is needed. Outpatient treatment for offenders could by ordered by the judge at their preliminary hearing, or more serious addicts or drug offenders could voluntarily enter a secure inpatient treatment facility operated by the Department of Corrections for 90 days to 6 months. After 18 months to 2 years in another supervised setting like a halfway house or home incarceration, Kelly said those who are treated in the minimum security facility could have their charges diverted or dismissed if treatment is successful. “So this legislation requires that (drug offenders) get onto some sort of treatment track and demonstrate to the court that they are making some sort of success at treatment…before we start them down that diversion track so their chances of staying out of prison will be enhanced,” he added. Incarceration of drug offenders accounts for about 80 percent of Kentucky’s prison population, Kelly said. He said the state now houses around 22,000 prisoners at a cost of approximately a half billion dollars per year. Supporters of the proposal argue that it would potentially save the state millions of dollars. According to the Kentucky Department of Corrections, the estimated cost to operate a facility as described in this bill is based on current costs for substance abuse treatment. At an average daily rate of $31.94, the estimated annual cost to treat 200 individuals per this bill would be $2,331,255. By comparison, the average per diem cost for incarceration is $52.14 or $19,030.70 annually. Total annual cost to incarcerate 200 individuals is approximately $3,806,040; a difference of $1,474,885. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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