Drug courts have been around state courts for years, but now, federal judges in North Dakota are thinking of bringing them to federal court:

The saddest day in the world is when we lock people up for the rest of their lives because they have drug problems," said U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson, of Fargo. Erickson and other federal judges are working on a drug court plan under which minor federal drug offenders could face strict supervision and treatment rather than long jail sentences.

The proposal also could include people on their way out of the prison system, said Rich Crawford, North Dakota's chief federal probation officer.....Crawford said bringing such a program to the federal court system in North Dakota would be a welcome change. "I really wish Congress would see the benefit of this type of program as opposed to just harsh sentencing guidelines," he said.

Even the U.S. Attorney in Fargo is open to the plan:

While federal prosecutors typically focus on large trafficking operations, the system could be used for people who plead guilty to lesser charges and testify in drug investigations, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said. "I'm intrigued by it and open to it," he said.

Our view: From their mouths, to Ashcroft's ears. More information on drug courts is available here.