Pubdate: Thu, 31 May 2007 Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Copyright: 2007 Austin American-Statesman Contact: http://www.statesman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32 Author: Isadora Vail, American-Statesman Staff Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DWI/DRUG COURT HELPS RE-OFFENDERS GET TREATMENT Program Requires Intensive Counseling And Treatment Instead Of Long Probation Terms The Williamson County DWI/Drug Court is run more like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting than a courtroom. Offenders approach the judge as in a normal court proceeding, but instead of charges, a progress report is read. The judge offers words of encouragement or disappointment. "You've done very well this past week; have a piece of candy," Judge Tim Wright told one offender last week. The man, who was in the court program because of a second Driving While Intoxicated offense, grabbed a piece of candy and almost skipped back to his seat. "You'd be surprised at how embarrassed people get when they don't get a piece of candy," said Sabrina Bently, the court officer. "But the best part of the court is just to see their attitudes change when they know they are doing well." The court began in November and is designed to help repeat drug or DWI offenders get intensive treatment instead of jail time or long probation terms. Instead of the two years of probation that accompanies a second DWI conviction, the court program is a year long. But not just anyone can get in, Wright said. The offender must go through a screening process to determine the person's need. "For many of these people, sticking them in jail is not the answer because they are just going to reoffend," said Wright, who has been a recovering alcoholic for the past 18 years. "Many of them need rehabilitation, and this program's intensity has the potential to do that." The program is modeled after one in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, that has three phases: intensive counseling, support groups and court appearances. There are 28 offenders involved in the Williamson County court. In the first phase, which is eight weeks long, offenders are required to go to court once a week, when their progress is evaluated. There is intensive outpatient treatment three times a week, a weekly meeting with a probation officer, a weekly meeting with a drug or alcohol sponsor, random drug testing, support meetings twice a week and a 10 p.m. curfew. If they are doing well, their success is announced in court. However, if offenders relapse or miss a meeting, they could face penalties such as retaking a class or spending a week in jail. In extreme cases, the person is removed from the program, but Wright said he understands that offenders might need a little leniency because the program is intense and time-consuming. Maurice, a 50-year-old who didn't want his last name published, began the program in February after being arrested twice for DWI. "Once I got in there and saw the judge and heard what he had to say, I realized that the program was more about turning out sober people than punishment," he said. The second phase lasts about three months, with two court appearances a month, cognitive education to help offenders deal with day-to-day problems, two monthly drug or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, random drug testing and an 11 p.m. curfew. For those who have been convicted of two DWIs, an ignition interlock device is required to be on their car, which must be breathed into before the car will start. If an offender has been drinking and breathes into the device, authorities are notified instantly. The final phase consists of a relapse prevention program, support meetings four times a week, a victim impact program, community service and no curfew. Only two people have been removed from the program. David Price, 35, has been in the program for three months and is pleased with his progress. "I think it helps that everyone in the program is so positive and just that Judge Wright knows what it is to be an alcoholic helps us trust him. I don't think this court would work if he wasn't who he is," said Price, who has two DWI convictions. "This is a big in-depth look at yourself and your problems." The program can treat about 45 people, but that's a small percentage of the hundreds of alcohol and drug convictions in the county every year. In 2006, the county had 1,200 first DWI convictions and 280 repeat convictions. Numbers of drug convictions weren't immediately available last week. When County Judge Don Higginbotham sees repeat offenders in his court, he refers them to the DWI/drug court. "There are so many cases and only a few courts, but anything helps," Higginbotham said. "But I think it is a very good program, and the sociological aspects make more of an impact than trying to crunch (case) numbers." - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath