two-year term as Chief Justice of the ends today.
He spent his last full day in charge talking to reporters about several topics, including the need to fund the state鈥檚 drug courts. Price says that drugs are the 鈥渓eading, driving force鈥� behind crime nationwide.
鈥淲e have fought a war on drugs for 30 or 40 years, and have not done a good job on it, fighting the supply side," Price told reporters. "What we have to focus on is fighting the demand side, helping people overcome their addictions and returning to normal life.鈥�
Price also talked about how ongoing budget cuts are making it harder to operate Missouri鈥檚 judicial system.
鈥淲e鈥檝e cut back on personnel, we鈥檝e cut back on education, we鈥檝e cut back on automation, we鈥檝e cut back on those things," Price said. "(If we have) much more (of that), it will start affecting our ability to timely process people鈥檚 lawsuits.鈥�
Price will remain on Missouri鈥檚 High Court as he hands the gavel over tomorrow (Friday) to fellow Supreme Court Judge .