Wayne County Prosecutor Creates Drug Treatment Program

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) — An eastern Indiana prosecutor is starting a new treatment program for drug offenders that he hopes will end the cycle of addiction.

The Palladium-Item reports Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman's program will offer certain drug offenders a chance to participate in intensive treatment. If they successfully complete the program, Shipman will dismiss their cases.

Shipman says "the keys to the jail are in their hands."

Offenders arrested for using or possessing small amounts of drugs and other petty crimes driven by drug use will be given the choice to take part in the program. The Wayne County Probation Department would oversee the initiative and direct offenders to participating professionals to determine the best rehabilitation plan.

Shipman says the number of offenders who would take advantage of the program is hard to predict.