Pubdate: Sat, 08 Mar 2003
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2003 Johnson City Press and Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Jim Wozniak

COUNTY DRUG COURT CELEBRATES FIRST GRADUATE

Local judges, probation officers and public officials celebrated Friday as 
the first graduate of the drug court in Washington County extolled his new 
lease on life and planned for his band's potential recording contract.

Washington County Sessions Judge John Kiener presented Allen Tisdale with a 
certificate for completing the one-year program that court officials billed 
as anything but a vacation. Tisdale, who underwent a multitude of drug 
tests, probation meetings, trips to court, Narcotics Anonymous and 
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and performed community service, talked about 
how much better his life had become.

"I'm very grateful for this program," said Tisdale, who had become addicted 
to marijuana. "I look at things different. I feel different. It saved my 
life healthwise and financialwise. And I'm very grateful for this program."

Drug court has convened in Sessions Court in Washington and Unicoi counties 
since October 2001. It is designed primarily for people who are addicted 
and have been convicted of a drug or alcohol offense or another crime due 
to substance abuse. In many cases, a person enters the court after he has 
been arrested for violating his probation on a drug conviction.

Currently, there are nine people enrolled in Washington County and two in 
Unicoi County. Tisdale was convicted of simple possession of marijuana. He 
attributed his success in the program to a desire to overcome his 
addiction, age and a decision that it was time to "straighten up and take 
charge" of his life.

Court officials started the court without money, relying instead on 
donations from various social service agencies, District Public Defender 
David Bautista said. He said local supporters told the agencies they would 
get paid when the court receives operating funds.

The money came in June - nearly $500,000 over three years in a grant from 
the federal government. Bautista said local officials were told the chances 
of receiving the grant would be better if they started the court beforehand 
because it would show they were serious about the idea.

The town of Erwin sponsored the grant application, and Mayor Russell 
Brackins said he believes there will be a lot more graduates from the program.

Bautista said drug court evolved from a federal study that showed putting 
someone in jail instead of treatment was at least three times more 
expensive per year and the likelihood of someone committing another crime 
when he did not receive help for drug or alcohol problems was 2 ½ times 
greater.

Drug court coordinator Vanessa Scott has seen the benefits through Tisdale.

"We believe that drug court has given Allen back life the way life should 
be lived - that is, a clean and sober life, one that sets Allen above the 
playing field from a lot of people that we see coming through court," Scott 
said. "We think it sets him on a playing field that will help him succeed 
in life."

Washington County Sessions Judge Robert Lincoln, who presided over 
Tisdale's many visits to court to review his progress, was full of praise 
for Tisdale and hugged him after presenting him with coins he had collected 
for achieving sobriety milestones.

"I always had the faith in you," Lincoln said. "I knew you could make it. 
You've done a great job. You're an outstanding example to everyone else in 
the program. I was a believer in (drug court) from the beginning, and I'm 
glad to see that my faith is well-put."

Unicoi County Sessions Judge David Shults and Erwin Town Judge Doris 
Hensley provided Tisdale with guitar picks and a pick case. Tisdale's 
heavy-metal band Stillborn is seeking a recording contract with Virgin Records.

Not everyone is pleased with the drug court's operation. District Attorney 
General Joe Crumley said Friday that the sanctions he endorsed for those 
who did not comply with the drug court rules have not been followed. He 
also cited problems with court orders and what he believes is a lack of 
input from prosecutors.

"It's not at all the program I thought it would be," said Crumley, who was 
not at Friday's ceremony. "I don't know how it got off track. My 
understanding is we were going to be part of it, but obviously that hasn't 
been happening."

Scott said there have been some paperwork troubles, but she said everyone 
had been court-ordered to participate in the program. She said the 
probation violations were considered in open court, and she assumed 
prosecutors were present during those discussions.

Kiener said many participants have been put in jail for violating drug 
court provisions and lost valuable points for their transgressions.
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