Alex Borowski, FOCUS executive director and counselor, said Tuesday that he is meeting with state officials Thursday in Oklahoma City about the possible expansion of the county drug court program. FOCUS is the drug court treatment provider for the county program.
"We're on the list for possible expansion," Borowski said.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the possible additional funding would increase slots by 3,000 statewide. Sequoyah County is one of 22 drug courts that could be expanded.
The two-year county drug court program is an alternative to prison for non-violent drug offenders.
Borowski said the county program might see an increase in 30 people in the next year, bringing the program capability to 60 people.
"We need it," Borowski said, noting he has a waiting list of people currently in the county jail in Sallisaw who want to be placed in drug court.
He said the program is currently full with around 32 people, including some in after-care and others awaiting residential plans. He said an expansion would be an excellent way to increase their numbers. Borowski said he did not know about the additional funding, but he said the program will need more money to expand.
Jail versus drug court also provides a savings for taxpayers. Borowski said it costs between $1,800 and $2,000 to send someone to drug court, while it takes $20,000 to $25,000 for a person to be incarcerated.
He said people in drug court contribute to society by working, going back to school, and getting their children back, who may have been placed in alternate care.
Borowski said the community has helped the success of the program by providing jobs to those in drug court.
"We're very proud of the community support," Borowski said.
