Pubdate: Mon, 04 Aug 2003
Source: Monroe Evening News (MI)
Copyright: 2003, The Monroe Evening News
Contact:  http://www.monroenews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2302
Author: Ray Kisonas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

For years Eric Chaytor of Ottawa Lake was able to maintain almost a double
life. The 16-year-old was on the football team, played basketball and ran
track. He participated in choir and spelling bees.

But behind the scenes, his addiction to marijuana grew. Then last summer he did
something stupid and got himself into a heap of trouble. While his parents were
out of town, Eric drank a bunch of beer, smoked some pot and entered the world
of crime.

He was involved with stealing a car and broke into a friend's home for a place
to sleep. He spent a week in the youth center and discovered his low point. But
it also was an awakening.

"I felt like the problem had to be taken care of,- Eric said of his drug use.
"I told my parents I had to do something.-

He did. Eric enrolled in drug court, a fledgling program in its first year of
existence in Monroe County. Today, he is looking forward to his junior year at
Whiteford High School, is clean and is ready to resume a normal teenager's
life.

"It's finally opened my eyes,- Eric said. "I've wasted five years of my life
using. It seemed entertaining but it wasn't.-

Eric is one of 18 teenagers participating in drug court. It is an intense,
yearlong program that involves complete involvement and dedication not only
from the teenagers, but from their parents. Drug court is not for all young
offenders; only the ones who are willing to change their lives.

"It's very, very intense and it's a lot of work,- said Monroe County Probate
Judge John A. Hohman Jr., who oversees the program. "The court is going to be
very much invading your home. As a parent, you basically have a second job.-

For those parents who have tried everything, who desperately want to help their
child, the dedication is worth it. Months of therapy, counseling and
adjustments must be made if their child's success is the only goal.

"I tried everything I could think of,- said one mother whose son is in the
program. "The drug court team somehow did it. It does help. I know it does.-

That commitment is not easy. Judge Hohman said two of the three families who
left the program did so because it was just too much involvement. But when a
teen is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or is negatively influenced by friends, a
lot of help is needed to pull him out of it.

A team of professionals who becomes involved with each teenager's life shares
the families' commitment. In addition to Judge Hohman, there is an
administrator, an assistant prosecutor, an attorney, school representatives and
treatment providers.

And then there are the probation officers. John Sieb and Lyn Hammond sometimes
become a participating teenager's third parent. They are constantly in touch
with the youths to make sure they are following the rules, staying out of
trouble and keeping clean.

"There is such a commitment that those who apply themselves and want to make
changes in their lives that it becomes really rewarding,- Mr. Sieb said. "We
attempt every form of service.-

Mr. Sieb said even though 60 teens are eligible for the program, dozens more in
the community could benefit. Substance abuse has become that pervasive in our
society.

"The problem to me is staggering,- Mr. Sieb said. "We're taking in some
difficult children.-

To become eligible for the program, teens must be a ward of the state, meaning
they've committed a crime and must pay the consequences. They also have to be
using drugs or alcohol. Typically those two categories go hand in hand.

Another requirement -- perhaps the key element for success -- is the teenager
and the family have to have a desire and willingness to participate.

Now in its ninth month, drug court is moving along well, said those involved.
Judge Hohman said there have been setbacks, but that was to be expected.

"There have been cases where I've really been disappointed,- he said. "It just
shows how powerful drugs are. But everyone is trying so hard. I couldn't ask
for any more effort.-

To graduate from the program, teenagers must complete four levels that add up
to a year. As they move through each level, the degree of requirements such as
drug tests, court visitations and counseling, lessens.

Once they have completed the fourth phase, the teens are on their own. The
record that got them into drug court is expunged. Currently, there are five
participants in Level 4, three in Level 3, four in Level 2 and six in Level 1.

Judge Hohman said typically it gets easier as the families move up the levels.
And he and others have seen some remarkable changes so far.

"So many parents have told me `I've got my kid back,' - he said.

"It's the greatest thing that walked into our lives,- added the mother, whose
son is about to enter the third level. "Thank God for Monroe County drug court.
It helped stop him in his tracks.-

Eric's story also is a success so far. But he knows he must work against any
relapses. If he does go back, it will only mean more trouble. And it also will
mean no more athletics. He already served a yearlong suspension from sports for
getting caught at school. Now he's ready to help the Bobcats in football and
basketball.

This summer he's got a job and is working hard to stay away from temptations.
Eric said not only has the drug court program helped him stay clean, he is
beginning to feel the physical affects of being drug-free.

"I feel like I'm just starting to see a lot of changes,- he said. "When I was
using, I was always lazy. Now I'm working a lot harder. I feel a lot better.
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