Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005
Source: Laurel Leader-Call (MS)
Copyright: 2005 Laurel Leader-Call
Contact:  http://www.leadercall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1662
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)

DRUG COURT PROGRAM IN JACKSON, GEORGE, GREENE COUNTIES GRADUATES FIRST CLASS

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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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin