Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Rutland Herald (VT)
Copyright: 2002 Rutland Herald
Contact:  http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/892
Author: Alan J. Keays

OFFENDER DESCRIBES ADDICTION

Crystal Bean says the week she spent in jail on a heroin charge was enough 
to teach her that she didn't want to go back.

The 20-year-old Rutland woman pleaded no contest Tuesday to several 
charges, including aiding in the sale of heroin, and will spend 60 days on 
a prison work crew. She also received a suspended sentence of one to five 
years in jail.

"I hurt a lot of people and I want to make up for it," Bean told Judge 
Francis McCaffrey before sentencing in Rutland District Court. "I'd like to 
make up to the community for the things that I did."

Bean was charged about 18 months ago when a city drug sweep yielded a dozen 
arrests and more than 1,000 bags of heroin. She spent about a week in jail 
before she was able to make bail.

"It was long enough for me," she said. "It was a good eye-opener."

The charge of aiding in the sale of heroin stems from an incident that took 
place Sept. 13, 2000. Bean led an informant to another man who sold the 
person two bags of heroin.

Bean told the informant said she couldn't go a half day without heroin, and 
at times used as many as 20 bags a day, according to court records.

In court Tuesday, Bean said she had not used drugs in more than eight 
months. She now works for a pest control company, and said she is working 
toward getting a state license so she can apply pesticides. She lives with 
a family member, she said, and her life has stabilized.

During the sentencing hearing, Bean spoke of her addiction to heroin and 
other drugs. She started using drugs when she was 17, she said. Eventually, 
drugs took over her life and nearly ended it.

"I was in a very helpless situation. I almost died on numerous occasions," 
Bean said. "I was doing a lot of heroin. It's very prevalent around here."

She said her time in jail forced her to quit.

"It gave me time to detox," Bean said.

Through counseling, she said, she has learned to stay drug-free.

"There is no reason to do drugs and get high. It's not going to get you 
anywhere," Bean said. "If somebody put in front of me a bag of heroin and a 
needle I would laugh at them. A while ago, it would have been different."

In addition to the charge of aiding in the sale of heroin, Bean pleaded no 
contest to three charges of writing bad checks, a simple assault and two 
counts of violating the conditions of her release.

Paul Donaldson, Bean's attorney, told the court his client's legal troubles 
were related to her drug problem.

"She has made steps in a positive direction to correct them," he said of 
Bean's drug addictions. "She wants to put all of this behind her and become 
a positive member of the community."

Deputy State's Attorney Marc Brierre said if Bean does not show up when she 
is supposed to for the work crew, the suspended sentence could be brought 
forward.

"She understands if she doesn't do it, she could go to jail," Brierre said.

Bean said she had reservations about accepting the plea deal, mainly 
because of the provision regarding the work crew.

"Mostly, I don't want to interact with people from the drug scene," she 
said. "That's why I didn't want to do work crew."

But she said she realized she must pay a price for her crimes.

"I do have to do penance and do what I have to do," Bean said.

As the hearing came to a close, Bean said she knew people who used drugs 
and would like to help them. But she didn't want to go back into the drug 
scene because she was afraid that she would get hooked again.

McCaffrey told her she could be an example to others by turning her life 
around.

"I appreciate you sharing your life experiences," the judge said.

"I think I'm lucky to be alive," she responded.
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