Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2005
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2005, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Robin Fitzgerald
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

DRUG COURT TURNS LIVES AROUND

At 29, He Is Slowly Regaining The Life Drugs Stole From Him.

"It saved my life," said Charles Rogers III, a former OxyContin addict
who credits Drug Court with changing the direction of his life.

He is one of five who graduated Friday from Harrison County's first
Drug Court program. Though their stories vary, they have some things
in common: They're free of substance abuse, they've paid their court
fines and they have no felony record.

Drug Court's goal is to help defendants conquer drug or alcohol
addiction through treatment, intense supervision, frequent drug
testing and court appearances. Participants are able to stay out of
jail but must work to pay off fines.

Criminal charges are dismissed for those who graduate. If they fail to
remain drug-free or to comply with all requirements, they go to jail.

In Rogers' case, he said he "went from pot to pills" at age 18. "I
couldn't stay away from the pills." Prison seemed the only alternative
until he was referred to Drug Court.

"When I first started this, I thought, 'this sucks.'...The 10 p.m.
curfew was probably the hardest part. But now that I've finished the
program, it's worth it. I've changed everything in my life."

And has he changed?

"Oh, my God, yes!" replied his father, Charles Jr. "He's come 360
degrees from where he was several years ago."

Rogers has been drug-free for nearly two years, about as long as the
Drug Court program has been in existence in Harrison, Hancock and
Stone counties.

He's getting married in a week. And he's about to graduate from
college.

Probation Officer Mark Brooks pointed to Dan, 23, another graduate
whose turnaround officials consider a miracle. Dan's wife smiled.
Their child bounced on her knees.

"Ecstasy," he said. "That was my problem, but I would take any pill I
could get my hands on. But I finally realized I needed help to get
clean. I didn't want to go to prison. I didn't want a felony record.
"

Brandon, 20, said he had high expectations for himself until pills
ruined his chances of becoming a pharmacist.

"I have high expectations again," said Brandon. "It won't be in a
pharmacy. But it will be something I will feel good about doing."

Circuit Court Judges Steve Simpson and Roger Clark awarded diplomas
and wished them well.

"I see many failures in criminal court," said Simpson, "but this gives
me great pleasure.

"Drug Court is not for everyone. It's very time-consuming with very
intense supervision. But it gradually empowers participants to make
their own decisions, to make wise decisions. The fact that this is
voluntary is key to their success. Those who stick with it are not the
same people they were when they started."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin