Pubdate: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 Source: Post-Journal, The (NY) Copyright: 2002 The Post-Journal Contact: http://post-journal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1939 Author: Stephen W. Houghton II Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) DRUG COURT GRADUATES READY FOR A FRESH START Five more people joined the ranks of drug court graduates Monday brining the total to 28 in the three years the program has been operating in Jamestown. About 100 people attended the program in City Hall to honor graduates who have taken control of their lives with the help of the city's drug court program. Drug court is an alternative to the traditional court system and is for people who committed crimes as a result of drug or alcohol use. Those enrolled in the program undergo intensive drug or alcohol counseling and attend support groups daily. To graduate from the program, participants must be drug free for one year, have become employed or enrolled in school and must support any dependents. One of the new graduates, Deanna Moore, said she was using drugs and knew her life was spiraling out of control. She began the drug court program, which is for non-violent offenders, in 2000 after she was charged with resisting arrest. Ms. Moore admitted her last episode was one of a number of drinking-related problems she had with police. As part of the drug court program, the Jamestown resident said she was sent to outpatient treatment and 12-step meetings. "For the first nine months I tried to scam my way through the program," Ms. More said. "I was caught and they sent me to an inpatient program." Ms. Moore said after completing the inpatient program, she started became an active participant in the program. "Drug Court took me from where I was and showed me a new life was possible," Ms. Moore said. "They can show you what to do, but you have to want life to get better." While in the program, Ms. Moore earned her general equivalency diploma and is now planning to attend cosmetology school. Another drug court graduate, Michael Gates of Jamestown, said he came to the program after he was caught selling drugs. Gates said he sold drugs to earn money to pay for his drug habit. He said drug court helped him tremendously. "I have been clean for 16 months," Gates said. "I have a job. It has helped me to understand and get help for my addiction. "I have become a father, son and brother again," he said. "I have become a whole new person." Gates gave credit to City Court Judge John LaMancuso and the other drug court staff members, his friends, family and his church for helping him through the transformation. Judge Vincent Doyle, who is the Eighth Judicial District administrative judge, said the graduates are evidence the drug court program is working. "Judge LaMancuso was one of the first to put drug court into practice," Doyle said. "It is due to his zeal that the city was able to establish the drug court program. It is heartening to see the people who have been helped." Doyle said the drug court program has to keep proving itself so the state and county officials will keep funding the program. "We have to show constantly that it is a success," he said. Doyle then addressed the graduates: "I know you can't stay sober for any reason but yourself, but I hope you will also stay clean to demonstrate the success of the program." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex