Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2005 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact:  http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI DRUG COURT CELEBRATES 1ST GRADUATION

LUCEDALE - Idice Terry's dream of a drug-free life has come true with two 
years of sobriety behind her and a diploma that shows she is one of nine to 
graduate from the drug court program in Jackson, George and Greene counties.

"This program basically raised me all over again," Terry said Thursday 
before the drug court's first-ever graduation. The program started in south 
Mississippi in 2002 at the direction of Senior Circuit Judge Kathy King 
Jackson.

Terry credits Jackson and Joanne Byrd, the court's coordinator, for leading 
her to a life that no longer includes crack cocaine or crystal 
methamphetamine and other drugs. "I owe that woman (Jackson) my life," she 
said. "If she hadn't started this program, there would've been nowhere else 
for me to go. I really feel like I owe her and Joanne and my mom. My mom 
was a big supporter. I can never give back to them what they gave me."

Specialized drug courts are gaining popularity in the state despite 
remaining mostly unfunded by the state Legislature. The first one opened in 
1995 in Ridgeland. Drug courts provide an alternative to incarceration of 
nonviolent offenders. They were designed to rehabilitate drug users through 
treatment programs, intense supervision with drug testing and frequent 
court appearances.

Former Attorney General Mike Moore urged Jackson to start the court in 
south Mississippi.

"I have seen a transformation. This is a program that she didn't have to 
do," Moore said. "This is a program that she wanted to do. It's remarkable 
what I've seen achieved here. I tell you what I call it. I call it a 
miracle." Participants are drug tested, required to hold a job and perform 
community service, and go to the library once a week, among other things. 
If a person completes the program, the drug charge is removed from their 
record.

There are 13 drug courts in the state, with 109 people presently enrolled 
in the program for Jackson, George and Greene counties. "It's the only 
thing I do every week that I look forward to doing," Jackson said of the 
drug court program. "Every time I go to drug court, I feel better about 
people. It's the most rewarding and heartbreaking thing I've ever done. 
When one fails, it breaks your heart. But thankfully, the successes 
outnumber the failures."

Those graduating along with Terry were William Darden, Belinda Davis, Lisa 
Kyle, Tommie Kyle, Brad McDonald, Julia Mills, Michael Mills and Tabbatha 
Smith.

"These are some of the most courageous people I know," Jackson said. "They 
changed me. I look around at the nine of them, and it's like my own kids. I 
told them it was my first litter."
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