Szilagyi
Democratic candidate for prosecutor Robert C. Szilagyi endorses the creation of a drug court in LaPorte County.
“The problems of drug abuse affect our community in a number of ways,” Szilagyi said in a press release, offering the following data: According to a report on June 25, 2009, by the LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership, the number of arrests for dealing cocaine in Michigan City increased by 17% from 2006 to 2008; the number of LaPorte County residents seeking treatment for heroin has drastically increased, and the number of infants testing positive for illegal drugs has jumped from 5 in 2008 to 16 in 2009.
Szilagyi said a drug court will assist in the fight against drug abuse. Drug courts provide a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel to promote public safety while providing drug treatment services to reduce recidivism, he said.
Drug court has been successful in one-third of the counties in Indiana, including in nearby Lake, Porter and St. Joseph counties, the press release stated. In the last five years, the courts, adult probation, and social service agencies have been interested in the development of a drug court in LaPorte County. The Indiana Judicial Center requires that all judicial partners, including the prosecutor, collaborate to successfully integrate alcohol and other drug treatment with justice system case processing.
Szilagyi said if elected, he would collaborate with the courts, probation and social service agencies to secure grant funding for a drug court in LaPorte County, and would work with law enforcement, the courts and any other professionals necessary to establish programs that would benefit LaPorte County and its citizens.
“Problems must be addressed with teamwork, communication, cooperation as well as an innovative spirit,” he said. “LaPorte County could and should be a leader when protecting its citizens.”
