MARTIN SHEEN - SHEEN URGES CONGRESS TO FUND DRUG COURTS

SHEEN URGES CONGRESS TO FUND DRUG COURTS

Screen veteran MARTIN SHEEN appealed to U.S. congress to continue to fund drug courts in Washington D.C. last week (ends15Jun07). The former West Wing star admits an unnamed friend of his was able to conquer their drug addiction with help from one drug court. Speaking to ABC show This Week, Sheen said, "At a critical point, I had to decide who would speak at the funeral, who should carry the casket. You have to be prepared to say 'I did everything that I possibly could.' "Well, I had not yet. I had one more option, and that was drug court. That's what saved his life, and mine. "So it's a very serious problem and very costly. And the monies that are spent on drug court and training and in rehab, the dollars are the biggest bargain you can possibly get in public health."