Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Source: Clayton News Daily (Jonesboro, GA)
Copyright: 2012 Clayton News Daily
Contact:  http://www.news-daily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3488
Author: Kathy Jefcoats

THREE DRUG COURT GRADUATES RECALL LONG ROADS TO RECOVERY

JONESBORO -- Each addict's turning point to recovery is unique but the
goal remains the same -- to stay sober.

Or they could fail and suffer the consequences.

In Clayton County Adult Felony Drug Court, the consequences of failure
are real and include donning an orange jumpsuit and all the glamour
that goes along with being an inmate.

Getting into the program is fairly simple, just commit the right kind
of crime and you're in. Staying in and being successful, well, now
that's harder. The challenge becomes swapping prison orange for the
black cap and gown of a Drug Court graduate.

Superior Court Judge Albert Collier, who presides over the program,
says he has heard every sob story and excuse that an addict can churn
out. Most tragic tales boil down to the blame for an addict's lot in
life falling to those around him or her, no personal
responsibility.

Take Ebonecke Ford, for example.

"I got locked up, I thought I knew it all, I wouldn't listen," said
Ford. "Then help arrived with Drug Court. It offered structure,
stability and patience. Lord knows I needed patience."

Even so, Ford said she was looking for an easy out. Collier told her
she wouldn't make it.

"I tried manipulation like I have my whole life," she said. "But I
found it is not possible to manipulate the Drug Court team."

Collier had his doubts.

"I told her to prove me wrong," he said. "And she did."

Ford was one of three Drug Court graduates to stand tall in front of
cheering family and friends Thursday night and share the story of her
rocky path to recovery. Troy Patterson and Meshia Dozier also
weathered the storm to finish the intensive program.

"Not only have you graduated, you've become productive members of
society and can live in your communities without the fear of being
stopped and searched and wondering what you have in your car or in
your house," said Collier.

To get to the other end of the program, the trio performed at least
336 hours of community service, attended countless weeks of treatment
meetings, maintained months of sobriety, lived by a curfew and
attended budgeting and parenting classes, among other
requirements.

"We keep them very busy," said Collier. "At any time, two officers
could knock at their doors, making sure they were meeting curfew. I
know your families have understood the need to maintain very strict
supervision. You'll see how beneficial that is."

Ford ended up excelling in the program and gave a presentation last
year to the Clayton County Board of Commissioners about Drug Court, he
said.

"She's an asset," said Collier. "She's a very strong participant and
leader."

Ford's foray into drug use started with marijuana at age 16. The next
year, she was charged with forgery and at 18, she had her first child.
While her grandmother battled breast cancer, Ford had a second child.
Then an aunt died.

"I got super depressed," she said. "I used cocaine to not feel
anything."

Four more children later, Ford's life was barreling toward an
uncertain future.

"I was in and out of jail, getting high," she said. "I was headed for
death but didn't care."

She was arrested in February 2010 for selling drugs. At that point,
Ford could either go to prison or go to Drug Court.

"I had someone praying for me," she said. "I'm liking this now, I
yearned for recovery. I care now."

Dozier's story is similar.

"I was selling and using cocaine," said Dozier. "I started tricking to
get drugs and met a guy who did crack. I had a baby with him and
stopped using. But I gave my son to relatives and went back to doing
the same thing."

She stayed on crack until her second child was born.

"I did the right thing for four months and then went back to the
streets," she said. "I was tricked into trying heroin and then I did
it all. Heroin, crack and cocaine all went up my nose. I ended up in
jail."

After jail, she returned to substance abuse, adding alcohol and
prescription pills to her litany. In 2003, she had her third child.

"I'd leave my son with my mother and hit the streets," said Dozier.
"My fourth child, same thing. I was praying to God to remove drugs
from my life. He brought Drug Court into my life."

Collier said he is proud that Dozier is the first participant to give
birth to a drug-free baby. Dozier said she has her family back.

"I can pass a drug test, my family trusts me and they are happy to
have me around," she said. "My children are happy to have me back.
Drug Court worked for me. Today, I know who Meshia Renotia Dozier is."

Patterson's drug of choice was methamphetamine. He fell so far down he
didn't think he could ever recover.

"If I listed all the times I got locked up, we'd be here all night,"
he said. "I went back on meth a few years ago, I was broke, homeless,
hopeless. I cashed a bad check and got a felony charge. I went into
Drug Court to keep from going to jail for two years."

Patterson thought it would be a cake walk and was at the end of his
rope when he failed three drug tests.

"I realized I had a much bigger problem than I realized," he said. "I
was totally hopeless. I asked Judge Collier to just give me the time,
to get it over with. That was my turning point. He told me, 'No, Troy,
we're going to get you some help.' I put my heart and soul into one
short prayer."

Once he decided to straighten up, he realized that life is good. It
wasn't always that way for Patterson.

"I started doing intravenous drugs at 17," he said. "I was doing meth,
cocaine, dilaudid, heroin. That was a nasty addiction."

In the middle of it all, he fell in love. Her name was
Gretchen.

"We shoplifted together and sold what we stole to buy drugs," said
Patterson. "In 2000, we had a child. She was taken away from us and I
went to jail for nine months. Then Gretchen died from drugs. I signed
away my rights to my daughter and my parents adopted her. I lived with
shame and guilt."

He thanked Collier and the Drug Court team for helping him improve his
life.

"I've been clean and sober for two years and one month," he said. "I
am a productive citizen, a good husband, brother and son. The sky's
the limit. Thank you."

Clayton Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell also spoke to the crowd,
sharing the wisdom of his 75 years and benefit of his experience as
the father of 13 and a former Atlanta police chief.

"Walk like you've got someplace to go, be the example you expect to
see in others," he said. "Let nothing drag you down. Never, never,
never stop trying."
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