Random drug testing is an integral part for those participating in two of Bartholomew County’s problem-solving courts.
If state grant funds can be obtained, a private agency will be hired to collect drug testing samples from participants in both the Adult Drug Recovery Court and the Veteran’s Court, Bartholomew County Court Services director Brad Barnes said.
Although the county is already doing limited testing, Barnes says he anticipates the number of drug court participants will rise from 10 to about 30 in just a year. At the same time, the number of defendants in Veteran’s Court will likely go up from about 10 to 20, Barnes told the Bartholomew County commissioners.
“Quite frankly, as we continue to grow, the ability of the folks within our system (to monitor drug abstinence) goes down,” Barnes said. “We just don’t have the time nor the manpower to do it.”
Although no specific agency was mentioned, Barnes said his office has already been paying a firm an hourly rate to collect samples on a trial basis.
The commissioners unanimously agreed with Barnes’ request to apply for a $60,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Hiring a private firm with no connections to participants enhances the integrity of drug testing in the Columbus area, Barnes said.
“The key is to randomize it,” Barnes said in an assessment shared by the U.S. Department of Justice. “These folks don’t know when they are going to get drug-tested. That ensures it has integrity.”
Two other reasons to hire an outside firm to test for drugs, rather than hire an employee, is cost-efficiency, as well as assurances that the program will continue if someone is ill, injured or on vacation, Barnes said.
“We’re not looking to grow county government with another employee,” Barnes said. “An outside agency will provide manpower and cover the dates we need at a fraction of the cost to hire someone.”
Applications for the grants must be submitted no later than Sept. 30.
