In Phase II, approximately three to six months, the defendant participates in random urinalysis and group counseling two to three times a week.  Phase III, approximately four to six months, consists of random urinalysis and group counseling one to two times per week.

These phases of the program will continue to change with the understanding and knowledge gained about addiction and treatment. During the first year of the program, substantial problems will surface in acquiring information from the treatment provider.

Program Management
It is the mission of S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. to keep a drug using defendant in the treatment program for a period of nine to twelve months. The program will impose an assortment of obligations upon the defendant based upon his/her own particular needs. Some of the conditions that may be imposed are community service fees, urinalysis, treatment, GED requirement, job training and the obligation to seek and maintain gainful employment.

Defendants who enter S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. are prohibited from associating with drug users or drug possessors. If they have a spouse or roommate who is using, they are encouraged to convince that user to enter the program. (There will be no additional charge for the spouse.) Another prohibition is that the defendant may not work with any public agency which deals with criminal activity or drug treatment without an express order approving such activities by the Court. These two provisions are recognition that one of the most positive steps an offender can take is to step away from the environment or people where drug use is common. 

Treatment
A defendant who successfully completes S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T.  will have his criminal indictment dismissed with prejudice. Graduation ceremonies are held in the presence of newer S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. defendants. S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. will not be implemented simply to provide drug treatment. While the rewards for providing treatment are rewarding and humane, the overall benefits produced by the management of this docket are very compelling. The speed of the trial and the savings in indignant defender costs, district attorney time, and court time results in an inexpensive trial for those failing the program thus promoting savings to the parish and the police agencies. The program we propose is an excellent example of what cooperation between criminal justice agencies can achieve in bringing a swift and fair justice system that results in the most cost effective adjudication of wrongdoers at the least expense to the taxpayers.

Graduation
Graduation comes after nine to twelve successful months of treatment. Success
Is a relative term when dealing with addiction. It certainly does not mean that
a participant has tested clean on his or her urinalysis each and every month in
S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T.  It means there is progress of a substantial nature that has positively changed the defendant's life. The Court must appreciate that relapse is a
part of recovery. However, a defendant must be clean and in full attendance the last two months of his/her program in order to graduate. Graduates are presented with a diploma and a small gift at regular status hearings so that others can see
that there is light at the end of the tunnel. These graduation events should provide an uplifting and gratifying experience for everyone in attendance.