Perry County Court Is Going In A New Direction In Regards To Treating Convicted Drug Offenders

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- An area county is taking a new approach when it comes to treating convicted drug offenders.

Perry County Court is in the process of adopting a new program called “New Direction Court.” 10 agencies have expressed interest in the idea.

“That involves getting all these agencies involved with them [the drug offender] as far as what their needs may be. If that may be education, be it family services. All those agencies will play role an intricate role with regards to what that person’s individual needs are.”

Perry County Court Judge, Dean Wilson said this program is important to the community.

“It’s a need,”said Wilson. “And it’s a different role for the courts. Most traditional roles of courts are basically a judge sitting on a bench, sentencing someone. What the supreme court wants us to do is to get more involved activity. To try to siphon off some of that, so that it doesn’t get to the felony courts.”

Judge Wilson said the purpose of “New Direction Court” is to give offenders a new direction in life.