Here to advocate for Drug Courts? Forum click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drugcourtsolutionsvaldostageorgia/
To subscribe:drugcourtsolutionsvaldostageorgia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com What Is a Drug Court? The mission of drug courts is to stop the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and related criminal activity. Drug courts offer a compelling choice for individuals whose criminal justice involvement stems from AOD use: participation in treatment. In exchange for successful completion of the treatment program, the court may dismiss the original charge, reduce or set aside a sentence, offer some lesser penalty, or offer a combination of these. Drug courts transform the roles of both criminal justice practitioners and AOD treatment providers. The judge is the central figure in a team effort that focuses on sobriety and accountability as the primary goals. Because the judge takes on the role of trying to keep participants engaged in treatment, providers can effectively focus on developing a therapeutic relationship with the participant. In turn, treatment providers keep the court informed of each participant’s progress so that rewards and sanctions can be provided. Drug courts create an environment with clear and certain rules. The rules are definite, easy to understand, and most important, compliance is within the individual’s control. The rules are based on the participant’s performance and are measurable. For example, the participant either appears in court or does not, attends treatment sessions or does not; the drug tests reveal drug use or abstinence. The participant’s performance is immediately and directly communicated to the judge, who rewards progress or penalizes noncompliance. A drug court establishes an environment that the participant can understand–a system in which clear choices are presented and individuals are encouraged to take control of their own recovery. (From the NADCP.org website) More information at this link: http://www.nadcp.org/docs/FACTS_final.pdf More to come!
| * Your advocacy efforts for Drug Court making a impact in local news! Click on link to read on WCTV’s website the features by reporter Erica Green:*
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Posted: 3:31 PM Nov 7, 2007
Last Updated: 6:20 PM Nov 8, 2007
Reporter: Erica Green
Email Address: erica.green@wctv.tv |
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“You attract more flies to honey than you do to vinegar,” said Beth Fann, a recovering alcoholic and program director at the House of Hope for women recovering from drug addiction.
| That is the idea driving drug counselors and recovering addicts and abusers to push for a drug court in Lowndes County. |
“People who use drugs and or alcohol are people who are hurting emotionally, spiritually, physically whether it be to go to jail or prison it’s not going to give them any healing,” said Fann. A recovering addict says she was in and out of jail nine times within three years. “Each time when I came out of jail I was never going to do it again, and always ended up back there doing it because I didn’t have the healing and education that I needed,” said Amy Taylor. It’s healing and education that many say comes from drug counseling and treatment. “Once someone becomes an addict there’s no such thing as non-mandated treatment for that person,” said Casey Corbin, a drug counselor in Valdosta. But although many surrounding counties in Georgia and Florida have drug courts, Lowndes County doesn’t have one yet. A survey modeled after a community with a drug court found 450 people in Lowndes County should be in drug court. Supporters say creating a drug court here in Lowndes County would reduce welfare, court costs and health care. Experts say for each dollar spent in creating drug court $5 to $20 is saved for taxpayers and the local economy. “There is grant money available that we could tap into about $550,000 to start drug court in this area. Ongoing grants of about $450,000 a year,” said Corbin. “There’s a solution out there and we know that you can have a productive life where you can give back to your community and be a law abiding citizen again,” said Sandy Thrasher, a recovering addict. Local organizers hope members of the community will step forward to support this need in time to apply for the March deadline for funding. For more information on the effort to create a drug court in Lowndes County log on to www.solutionscounselingservices.com |
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Posted: 11:03 PM Nov 8, 2007
Last Updated: 11:08 AM Nov 9, 2007
Reporter: Erica Green
Email Address: erica.green@wctv.tv |
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| Some residents in Lowndes County are working to bring a drug court to Lowndes County. Part of that effort includes looking at surrounding counties that are seeing results with their programs. Sandy thrasher was an alcoholic for 20 years and was recently arrested for drunk driving before her family intervened.
“I’d never been in trouble before. I had a career 17 years with a reputable organization. I was married for 17 years and now I have this on my record,” said Thrasher. One of the aims of successful drug courts like the one in Columbia County Florida is to avoid these situations. “This is a chance for you to avoid having a felony on your record. If you have a felony on your record you are going to loose certain rights if you’re convicted…The label itself if something that follows you. They recognize the benefit of completing this program successfully,” said Tina Seifert, the Assistant Chief State Attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit in Florida. “Sometimes it takes those who are being made to go for them to be able to actually stay in a program or stay to get educated,” said Amy Taylor a recovering addict. Columbia County created a drug court three years ago and graduated 35 people from the program. Organizers say they are already seeing benefits in the community.”Businesses are receptive. If we give a call they might look at someone to hire them. They’re receptive to that. It helps them to know that this person’s really trying to beat this addiction,” said Siefert. The key to their program is having a supportive team of professionals to coach the addicts and abusers. Lowndes County is taking advice from drug courts around the region to help them model a test program. “We’re seeing some really good changes in people. Their probation officers are certainly coming around and getting really on board and excited about results. The judges are excited about this opportunity get them on their way back to a productive way of life,” said Casey Corbin, a drug counselor with Solutions Drug Counseling Services in Valdosta. “I have a lot of things left in my future and I’m just very excited about it,” said Taylor. Supporters hope these success stories will help bring drug court to Lowndes County. |
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It’s a popular alternative to prison, drug court. First time offenders in both Georgia and Florida are enrolling in Felony Drug Court Programs, and it’s changing lives.
| The felony drug court program is ideal for non-violent drug offenders who want to turn their lives around and break the cycle of drug abuse |
Brian Williams’ life was going in a downward spiral. He says after his mother’s death, he began taking drugs. He’s been clean and sober for a year. Now Williams is receiving a certificate of completion from Leon County’s felony drug court program. Brian Williams completed felony drug court program said, “Since I’ve been in trouble with the law I’ve gotten promoted at work. My relationship with my father and other family members have gotten a lot better.” He added, “Getting arrested was like God’s way of telling me you need to get in line.” Since its inception in 1994, thousands have successfully completed the three step program. Nancy Daniels, Public Defender, said, “Through this program they get off drugs they get back to work they get back in school and marriages come back together or relationships with their parents come back into their lives.” Lives that have been altered from drug use and poor decisions. Participants go through a year of random and scheduled drug tests, counseling and tough love to finally graduate drug free. Owen McCaul, Assistant State Attorney, said, “These are low level offenders and if we are successful they will not be re-offended and if they are not we can bring it back to stage one and prosecute them as necessary. James Shelfter, Leon County Judge, said, “We give them a chance to stay in the community and stay in their jobs and keep earning a living with an opportunity to not have this as a blemish on their records forever.” In addition, participants must pay $50 a month and meet with their probation officer. Once they’re done with all the requirements drug offenders will receive a certificate of completion. Next on the agenda: removing the drug charge from their record.
South Georgia House of Hope is a Christian based, substance abuse recovery program for women. The beautiful location and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal place for healing and recovery. If you would like to contribute, or to obtain information for yourself or a loved one to participate in the program, please call 229-241-2707.
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Fighting drug addiction and entering a drug-free society can be a sobering wake-up call for addicts and abusers. But one local program is making the transition a little easier.
| Recovering drug and alcohol addicts and abusers say stepping out from the security of treatment back into the real world is sometimes harder than kicking their old habit to begin with. |
” It’s not really safe for them to go back to their hometown or to their old running area. There’s a lot of triggers, memories relationships, places, a lot of triggers, memories, relationships,” said Sharon Wagner, Director and Founder of the House of Hope.
The faith based rehab program South Georgia House of Hope is remodeling homes for women re-entering the real world. They will live among program directors to get their lives back on track. ” How to go on an interview, what to wear, hard to fill out an application. Some women never really developed proper life skills to become a success in the community,” said Karen Butera, a Leadership Training Director. “I am comforted to know that my future is taken care of. I can concentrate on getting better and know that I have a place to go with accountability also some security,” said Sandy Thrasher, a recovering alcoholic.Directors say they rely on help from the community to change these women’s lives. And they say there’s no better place than Lowndes County to find that support. House of Hope is looking for businesses and families to sponsor a recovering addict and abuser and fund houses. You can call 229-241-2707. |
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