Pubdate: Mon, 19 May 2003 Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) Copyright: 2003 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Contact: http://www.stltoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/418 Author: Tim Rowden Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) THIS COURT TRIES TO SENTENCE USERS TO A LIFE WITHOUT PRISON OR DRUGS Court Tries To Sentence Users To A Better Life "R" began smoking marijuana when he was 15. His aunts and uncles were drug users. His cousins were drug users. It seemed natural. "I was only using it casually," he told Judge Timothy J. Patterson, who presides over Jefferson County's Drug Court. His name is being withheld to protect his privacy. By the time "R" graduated from Crystal City High School, his drug use had become a habit. Though he was going to college, half-heartedly pursuing a degree in psychology, his most persistent interest was getting high. "I was working on going to college, but I was just floating," he said. "I didn't have too many goals." Then he got arrested. He was carrying marijuana at the time. Prosecutors gave him a choice. He could plead guilty to a possession charge, get a record and face potential prison time or probation, or he could go to the county's drug court, a pre-plea, high-intensity supervision program that, if he was successful, would make the charge go away. "R" graduated from the county's 15-month Drug Court program on Friday. His girlfriend and 19-month-old son were in the audience. The judge, prosecutors, public defenders, police, mental health counselors and fellow participants stood to applaud his success. "R" is now 26. He works as a salesman for a marketing firm. He and his girlfriend are thinking about getting married and maybe even buying a house. These are things he thought he wouldn't have a chance for on the day of his arrest. "I was scared," he said. "I didn't want to be a criminal. I was trying to be a productive citizen." In that moment, "R" says, he realized that drugs were ruining his life. The concept of an alternative drug court was introduced in Missouri with a program in Kansas City in 1993. Jefferson County started its own pilot program in January 2002. The county received word last week that the Legislature had approved funding for a full-time drug court commissioner in the county. The measure is awaiting the approval of Gov. Bob Holden. To date, three people have graduated from the county's program. Eight are under supervision. The program uses a combination of treatment, supervision, praise and counseling to help offenders turn their lives around. There are frequent drug tests. Those who successfully complete the program walk away drug-free, without a record. Those who stumble face criminal prosecution. Supreme Court Judge Ray Price says about 2,200 people have graduated from drug court programs around the state since their inception. Only about 6 percent have committed new crimes. When he was using, "R" says, that's all he could see himself doing. When he was high, he didn't have to worry about his mother and siblings. He didn't have to worry about succeeding. "I was using drugs to escape my reality," he said. "I didn't have to have manners when I was high. I didn't have to be perfect." Then came the arrest - and the program. "I feel very grateful," he said. "I feel very humble. Naturally, I feel healthier. I didn't know how powerless or out of control my life had become." While he works in sales, "R" is also trying to break into the music business. He does studio work in his home. The drug court presented him with a gift certificate from the Guitar Center as a graduation gift. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom