Pubdate: Fri, 11 Mar 2005
Source: Malden Observer (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Community Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/malden/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3535
Author: Allison Morgan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

JUDGING ADDICTS DIFFERENTLY

For the past year, Malden District Court has been home to a unique "drug 
court" which gives drug addicts a second chance at turning their lives 
around - if they're up for the challenge.

Soon after being appointed as presiding judge at Malden District Court in 
2002, Judge Lee Johnson noticed a concerning pattern - growing drug use by 
teenagers, especially that of OxyContin and heroin, who had no criminal 
past before becoming involved in drugs.

Johnson's concerns and those of the court house staff were further 
confounded by the overdose deaths of a few teenage girls around that same time.

"We said, 'We have to do something'," he said.

After further discussion they made the decision in November 2003 to apply 
to a national program to create a "drug court," which Johnson describes as 
a "creative tool to integrate drug addicted individuals back into society."

The drug court began exactly one year ago this month and is held every 
Thursday.

In addition, the court also created a voluntary drug team composed of the 
judge, a drug treatment liaison, the district attorney's office, 
representatives from outside agencies and other staff members who oversee 
the court.

The program offers people who have been charged with drug possession and 
who are also drug addicted an opportunity to sober up while hopefully 
deterring them from going back to the drug.

"We're trying to take them out of that climate. But I make it clear, if you 
choose to go to drug court that is your choice. But if you don't, you may 
go to jail," Johnson said, adding that every person who enters the program 
must qualify. "We cannot allow anyone in drug court who has committed a 
violent crime or was charged with distributing drugs."

Probation officer and drug team member Rich DeAngelis said his 
participation in the drug court makes him feel more like a social worker.

"We supervise these people all the time but now we're seeing them four 
times a month and we're able to give them a second chance," he said. "It's 
much more intense."

DeAngelis added that while his role on the drug team takes a delicate 
balance, it's a welcome challenge.

"It's an opportunity to do something else," he said. "I've done this for 20 
years but [drug court] is different."

The program includes a 12- to 18-month process and four important phases.

During phase one, typically the first three months of the program, 
participants must report to drug court every week, provide the court with 
proof that they attended at least four Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics 
Anonymous meetings, provide urine tests and go to counseling if warranted. 
During this time participants may spend a period of time in a drug 
treatment center if it is needed.

During phase two, participants only have to attend drug court once every 
other week and in phase three, only once a month but all other requirements 
remain the same.

In phase four, which is considered the "graduating stage," participants are 
not required to show up for drug court but expectations are elevated. Any 
failure to comply will result in moving back a phase.

Just last week Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings began 
being held at the courthouse every Thursday morning as an added resource.

Sharon Ferrari, a member of the drug team who coordinates training and 
interacts with the participants, said she looks forward to Thursdays.

"We see these people every week. We get to know them. We feel for them," 
she said. "I try not to focus on expectations because you have to keep an 
open mind."

Johnson said there are now 24 participants in drug court. The ages range 
from 18 to late 40s. They are a mix of men and women, who are married and 
divorced, mothers and fathers, some with good jobs others with no jobs.

They all have one thing in common - they want help with their addiction.

"I think it helps them to know they're not alone," Ferrari said. She's seen 
a special bonding develop between participants in the program.

Not everyone who went into the drug court has finished. Most recently, an 
older woman who dropped out of the program and served six months in jail 
returned to drug court to tell how she has been able to turn her life around.

"She thanked us for being so supportive and said drug court opened her eyes 
and gave her the incentive to look at life differently," Johnson said.

About 10 people have dropped out of the program because it was too challenging.

"Many of them say, 'This is the hardest thing I've ever done'," Johnson 
said. "It's a drug and they can't fight it. [Those who dropped out] took 
the easy way out of going to jail. They have to want to do it or it won't 
work."

For some, he added, a jail sentence hanging over their heads isn't enough 
to keep them in the program.

Johnson and his staff are working hard to provide adequate resources to the 
participants. And he doesn't necessarily share the concern of others that a 
drug conviction should always warrant jail time.

"For an addict it's not so simple to say, 'Stop taking drugs'," he said. 
"You can't just cut them off. It has to be gradually done."

As a result the drug court offers participants support, encouragement and 
resources to make necessary changes in their life - with reasonable 
expectations.

"We have to understand there will be relapses sometimes," Johnson said. 
"Drug court is about being truthful and honest. Everyone is human, everyone 
makes mistakes, but there has to be consistency."

He added participants who suffer a setback receive a punishment depending 
on the severity of their actions. A relapse could entail using drugs, 
getting arrested or not showing up for a required drug court session.

As a result, the drug team decides on a repercussion such as doing 
community service, writing a letter about why the mistake was made, 
reverting back a phase in the program or being incarcerated for a short time.

"We have people who have exceeded farther than we thought they would go and 
those who are disappointments," Johnson said, adding that no participant 
has yet to reach phase three.

For the majority, though, the drug court has had a positive affect on the 
participants and on their view of the court system, Johnson said.

One of the hard and fast rules of drug court is that participants are not 
allowed to leave court until the session is over. They have to stay and 
listen to each other and are allowed to offer advice to those in a similar 
situation.

"They're having a one-on-one relationship with the judge," Johnson said. 
"Now they look at me and say, 'Wow, he's looking at me to help get me 
resources to help my problem.' "

Not surprisingly, many drug court participants have thanked the team for 
helping them create healthier, more trusting relationship with their families.

Johnson said he's also noticed the body language and dispositions of many 
change as they become more receptive to the program.

While the drug court has yet to receive any funding Johnson said the team 
plans to apply for grant proposals and would like receive city, state or 
federal funding in the future.

"I'm proud of it. Our staff has shown a great deal of professionalism and 
time," Johnson said of the drug court. "It's a new program so we're still 
learning about it ourselves but right now we're being effective."

His aspirations for the future of the drug court are to receive funding, 
expand in numbers and hopefully help some participants complete the program.
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