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http://flash.oregonlive.com/cgi-bin/or_nview.pl?/home1/wire/AP/Stream-Parsed/OREGON_NEWS/o1531_AM_WA--TribalDrugCourt
 

Yakama Nation expects drug court to open next year

The Associated Press
02/27/00 5:26 PM Eastern

TOPPENISH, Wash. (AP) -- The Yakama Nation expects a first-of-its-kind
tribal drug court to be up and running next year, and its chief judge says
it's an idea whose time has come.

By breaking the cycle of drugs and crime, the courts reduce the number of
jail inmates and repeat offenders and save money, said Rory Flint Knife, who
became the Yakama Nation's chief judge last May.

A three-year federal Justice Department grant will pay initial costs, said
Anna Ward, tribal court deputy director.

Sixteen other American Indian tribes, including the Spokane and Makah in
Washington, currently have either juvenile or adult drug courts, Flint Knife
said.

"We would be the first tribe in the nation to have both," he said.

The drug court will be voluntary and open to all nonviolent offenders who
come into tribal court.

Like other drug courts, the Yakama Nation's requires that participants go to
treatment programs, take drug tests and regularly meet with the judge and
other court officials. But Flint Knife also wants it to incorporate Yakama
traditions and culture.

That could involve sweat lodges or talking with elders, Flint Knife said.

Spokane Tribal Court Chief Judge Mary Pearson does not order those in her
tribe's drug court program to take part in cultural activities, but the
option is available.

The Spokanes' drug court started accepting people in July, Pearson said. So
far, 11 people have participated.

"We don't have a lot of people in the (drug) court yet because it's a very
stringent program," she said.

The Spokanes' drug court is funded through a two-year Justice Department
grant, and Pearson worries that isn't long enough for the program to take
hold and reduce the problems created by drugs and alcohol.

Without the grants, the tribe doesn't have the money to fund the program,
she said.
 
 

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