JASPER, Ind., March 26, 2008 (AP): Dubois County has begun offering drug and alcohol education class in Spanish to cater to the growing number of Latinos in its legal system.

Ten people signed up for the first session at the Dubois County Community Corrections Center, said Tracy Schmitt, a social worker who directs that court’s alcohol and drug program. She said about 40 are taking the English equivalent.

People who are convicted of substance abuse related charges can be ordered by the court to undergo treatment or counseling or take part in educational programs as part of their sentences.

Christina Rosario, a social worker with Catholic Charities in Evansville, began teaching the class on Tuesday.

She said she would like to accept referrals to her program from outside the county because she knows of at least one man in another county who took an alcohol education course in English, but didn't understand it.

``I don't know how many more of those there are lurking out there in shadows,'' she said.

Information from: The Herald, http://www.dcherald.com