Individuals with drug problems could be eligible for new drug court programs in planning stages for the Windham Judicial District and on the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation, the first in eastern Connecticut. Separate drug court proposals are part of a national trend to reduce the burden on prisons overflowing with drug offenders. Drug dealers or those who commit violent crimes are not eligible. Tribal spokesman Arthur Henick said no final decision has been made on whether to open a drug court on the reservation in Ledyard that also includes Foxwoods Resort Casino. Other tribes across the country have opened drug courts with high success rates, however. There are 14 operating now and another 35 are in the planning stages nationwide. “The tribal court is always looking at new ideas for handling cases in its jurisdiction,” Henick said. “However, no decision has been made on this particular innovation.” Planning, implementation and enhancement grants are available, although the tribe has not yet received any funding. A 1999 U.S. Department of Justice report, “American Indians and Crime,” reports that Indians have the highest violent crime rate in the nation. It showed there is emerging gang violence on Indian reservations. Crime statistics on the Mashantucket Reservation were not available.
