Drugs and alcohol are recurring themes in the daily operations of the courts in Butler County.

In the seven district judge's courtrooms, cases are heard daily which either are the direct result of someone's use of drugs or alcohol or the indirect result of someone's bad judgment where drugs and alcohol are concerned.

In the courthouse, in juvenile court, in domestic relations, in family court and civil court, there are many examples of the pain and tragedy these substances cause for countless parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors.

These cases show the need to have a DUI Task Force

Here is what those groups do.

The Adopt-A-School (AAS) Initiative was developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys, county district attorneys and school districts throughout the United States.Butler County first participated with Adopt-A-School in August 2003, and the program is now in most county school districts.It provides a venue for instruction by police officers, probation officers, EMS and firefighters, the county district attorney's staff, the county human service staff, and volunteers who do educational presentations and act as positive role models for youth. The program stresses the importance of a good education, living healthy and drug free, and abstaining from violent and/or criminal behavior.This program not only addresses quality of life issues, but attempts to bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement, creating partnerships that support the healthy emotional and physical growth of our children.Through AAS, the county has been fortunate to have the cooperation of district judges, Juvenile Court Services, Children and Youth Services, mental health and drug and alcohol programs, Center for Community Resources, MADD, state police, local law enforcement, community leaders and resources.Of the seven public school districts in the county, South Butler and Seneca Valley have full programs; Mars, Slippery Rock, and Butler are participating in some capacity; and Karns City and Moniteau have shown interest in offering AAS.In addition to AAS, two new initiatives recently have been implemented; an innovative truancy initiative spearheaded by graduate students Traci Veri and Sue McConnell from Juvenile Court Services, and an underage drinking program lead by the county district attorney's office and district judges.Penalties for minors drinking are: educational classes, community service, fines, court costs, and a driver's license suspension. Fines for first-time offenders can be up to $300 plus court costs. Second offenses fines could go to $500 plus court costs.License suspension for underage drinking is 90 days for first offense, one year for second offense, and two years for third or subsequent offenses.Penalties for adults are: The penalty for supplying minors with liquor, malt or brewed beverages is a misdemeanor of the third degree. A first offense is a $1,000, fine, court costs and the possibility of up to 1 year in jail. Subsequent offenses are fines of $2,500 for each underage drinker, court costs and possible jail time of up to 1 year. There are additional fines for furnishing the site for minors to drink alcoholic beverages.

Detective Patrick Cannon coordinates the Butler County District Attorney's Drug Task Force. Officers from all departments participate in the task force and are constantly working to eliminate drugs and drug dealers from our community.Joint investigations with the state attorney general's office and the State Police Troop D Vice Unit are ongoing.The task force maintains a confidential drug tip line at 866-363-3784 for anyone to call and anonymously leave information for investigators to pursue.So far this year Detective Cannon has had 64 arrests himself for the Drug Task Force. In July, Butler County had its first conviction for delivery of methamphetamine following a jury trial. The defendant was sentence Sept. 11, 2006.The Drug Task Force has been in its current form since June of 2006. It is made up of two teams, one in the northern area of the county and one in the southern area. It is made up of officers from most of the municipalities in the county.The task force has made about 750 arrests, the majority of which have been felony arrests. Also in that period, there has only been one case dismissed.In 2003, there were 72 arrests. In 2004, there were 111 arrests, and in 2005, there were 97 arrests.So far this year, 73 people have been arrested.The number one drug of choice in the county after alcohol is heroin and it has been for several years. Cocaine and crack cocaine run a close second.The task force continues to battle those and other drugs in the county.

Act 24 of 2003 amended Pennsylvania's driving under the influence laws. A major provision decreased the driving under the influence blood alcohol content from. 10 percent to. 08 percent.In addition to lowering the DUI limit, the new state law created a tier system for blood alcohol levels exceeding the minimum DUI percentage.•. . 08 percent to. 099 percent is considered general impairment•. 10 percent to. 159 percent is considered a high rate of alcohol•. 16 percent and above falls under the highest rateEach level of DUI carries a set of penalties for drivers.Under general impairment. 08 percent to. 099 percent, first and second offenses are ungraded misdemeanors, while a third or more offenses are second-degree misdemeanors.For a first offense of general impairment, there is no license suspension. The driver faces these penalties:• Up to six months of probation• A $300 fine• Attending alcohol safety school• Treatment when ordered.Penalties for a second offense are:• A one-year driver's license suspension• A five-day to six-month prison term• A $300 to $2,500 fine• Alcohol highway safety school• Treatment when ordered• A one-year ignition interlock.Source: www.pa-drunkdrivinglawyer.com

NEED TO TALK: If you have questions about this topic, call the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program at 724-284-5115 or the county's drug tip line at 866-363-3784.