Drug court graduates eye productive futures
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?Ask anyone who has been part of this program and they?ll tell you it isn?t easy and it isn?t for everyone,? said Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley concerning the intensive rehabilitation alternative to prison for drug offenders. ?Many of these people are good citizens except they have a drug problem. Take away the drug problem and they are contributing members of society.?
The local drug court program started in July 2004. The main goal, according to coordinator Brad Price, is to help individuals become productive, law-abiding citizens and become drug free.
?Our objective is being accomplished through intense supervision, treatment, and increased court appearances,? Price said. The drug court program is a minimum of 12 months and there are three different phases that each participate will go through, each phase lasting a minimum of four months. Participates are not allowed to move to another phase unless they have completed all the requirements for the previous phase.
Any time during the drug court program a participant can be moved back a phase for not complying with the rules of the drug court.
Since the program began here, there have been 12 graduates. Of those 12, none have been convicted of a new crime. Three have obtained their GEDs; one has graduated from Tennessee Tech; two have regained custody of their children; two have started their own Narcotics Anonymous meetings two nights a week in McMinnville; three have gotten their driving privileges back; and all but two are employed full-time. The two not working are on medical leave, Price noted.
Among those graduating this past week were:
Shannon Hillis ? She entered the drug court program in November 2005 after violating her probation. She has been given weekly drug tests since November 2005 and all of her drug tests have been negative.
Hillis has attended NA meetings every week while in the drug court program. Her short-term goals are to finish her requirements to obtain her GED and getting back to work. Her long-term goals are to get into nursing classes, regain custody of her children, and get a better house for her family.
Weston Herriman ? He entered the drug court program in March 2005 after violating his probation. He works for Gary Newby doing construction work. Weston has been drug tested weekly since October 2005 and all of his drug tests have been negative. He has attended NA meetings each week while in the drug court program.
His short-term goals are to stay working and get his credit established. His long-term goals are to be someone his children and wife are proud of, be a productive member of society, and get a bigger house for his family.
Lance Vogel ? He entered the drug court program in May 2005 after violating his probation. He was recently working for Morrison Tool and Fab, until he had an accident and is out on medical leave.
Vogel has been drug tested weekly during his time in the program and all of his drug tests were negative. His short-term goals are not to injure himself, get his license reinstated, and be successful at getting his new business off the ground. His long-term goals are to have a better home and maintain his sobriety.
Josh Ward ? He entered the drug court program on June 2005 after violating his PSI Probation. He is currently not working due to a shoulder injury at work. He has been drug tested each week during his time in the drug court program and his results were negative for any illegal drugs.
He has been attending AA and NA meetings weekly while in the drug court program. His short-term goals are to get into nursing school and get his drivers license reinstated. His long-term goals are to stay clean and never use alcohol or drugs again, get married, and be the best father he can be for his son.