Source: San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/ Pubdate: Tuesday, January 27, 1998 Author: Danna Dykstra COURT PROGRAM OFFERS ADDICTS HOPE ... and a second chance at life SAN LUIS OBISPO -- "You are all here because you have a problem with drugs," Superior Court Judge Christopher Money said as he surveyed the courtroom packed with probationers. On this day, some 25 men and women -- each sentenced by the judge for felony drug offenses -- wait among the throng of probation officers, drug counselors and family members for their turn to be called to the bench. They are people who admit to being drug addicts; people hand-picked by Money himself. In addition to attending court-ordered drug programs, they are required as part of their probation to appear once a month during the lunch hour for a one-on-one chat with the judge. Money calls these drug treatment reviews. By all accounts, the fledgling program has been the most successful locally in curbing drug addictions. Money, who was instrumental in launching the program, limits the number of participants to about 35. In the six months since its inception, the judge has "terminated" roughly a dozen probationers from the program because they consistently attend drug treatment meetings and have made great strides in turning their lives around. The county Probation Department is seeking grants to expand the program to three courtrooms. Federal funds are also being sought to pay for extensive drug treatment services, something sorely lacking in this county, said Probation Chief John Lum. "Judge Money had the foresight to recognize that if we want to make an impact on the problem of people addicted to substances, we need to do something different than what we've been doing," said Lum. Using Money's monthly review as a model, a team of representatives from the Probation Department, the Public Defender's Office, the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney's Office and county Drug and Alcohol Services was created to develop a uniform strategy for dealing with drug addicts. The plan is to provide treatment services, from the moment a drug offender is booked into County Jail, to more intensive scrutiny by probation officers and other professionals whose common goal is to support the recovery of alcoholics and drug addicts. While the concept targets adult offenders, the goal is to ultimately expand to include juvenile drug violators. "I handle one-third of the felony calendar, and you can see from those cases the magnitude of the problem we have in this county, mostly with methamphetamine," said Judge Money. "These are people with tragic stories, from all backgrounds and with great promise that was ruined because of their addiction." Money said by making people accountable and encouraging them to stick with their court-ordered treatment, their chances of beating their addiction are greatly improved. Money recognizes part of the recovery process allows for occasional relapses. He tends to be more lenient on those who are making an effort. He chooses those for the program who indicate a willingness to work on their problem. For those who don't attend their programs, have lost contact with their probation officers and don't show up for their monthly court appearances, he issues a warrant for their arrest. "It's amazing how many of these people are doing so well," said Gary Joralemon, a deputy probation officer who supervises the adult felony unit. "At sentencing the judge explains to certain people that he wants to see them on a more regular basis. A lot of these people have never had a success in their life; we don't have a lot of high achievers on probation. So when they have a superior court judge pat them on the back and genuinely wants to see them succeed, that really means something." Once a month Money gives up a lunch hour to spend a few minutes asking each participating probationer about his or her progress. He offers encouragement even to those who admit to using drugs in the weeks since their last informal appearance. The judge then asks the individual's probation officer for an assessment of the progress. "Why haven't you been to your NA meetings?" Money gently probes one dark-haired man in his 30s, who said he works in construction. "It's important that you go to these meetings -- you will not be able to control your problem without them," Money continued. "I don't want you to relapse." The man promises to attend more meetings. Like all probationers ordered to Money's treatment review, he is then escorted to a room to meet with a drug counselor. Sometimes those who show are tested on the spot for drugs in their system. Probation officers carry into court portable urine tests that give instant results. Probationers who test positive for drugs are taken to jail. At the judge's discretion, those who regularly attend treatment programs and consistently test negative for drugs are dropped from the treatment review program. To be "terminated" from the program is a graduation day of sorts. The probationer merits an emotional round of applause from the judge and all those looking on in the courtroom. One woman who appeared to be in her 40s told the judge she had a job and hadn't tested positive for drugs for months. Her probationer officer concurred. "I'm very proud of you," Money told the woman. Turning to her probation officer, the judge continued: "Due to her success, I recommend that she be terminated from the program." Following a round of applause, the woman beamed as though she'd never been applauded for anything in her life. Jay Aguilar said he has been addicted to drugs since he was a boy growing up in Oceano. The 28-year-old father of four girls said his latest drug of choice is heroin. He said he hasn't used drugs for three months, and his probation officer who pays regular home visits confirmed Aguilar's tests have been clean. "Every day is recovery for me; I don't want to fail at this," Aguilar assured the judge. "I believe you," Money responded warmly. "I know it's hard. But I know you can do it." Outside the court room, Aguilar said his drug addiction has cost him his family. He is currently separated from his wife and daughters, although he is working to restore his family. "You gotta want to change, or you won't," he said. "But it's the support from the judge and my probation officer that has really helped. Judge Money has given me lots of chances -- I think he really cares -- and these monthly reviews give me something to think about when I'm out there on my own. Every time I think about using, all I have to do is think, 'Wait a minute -- I gotta face the judge,' and that picture in my mind takes the desire right away."