Pubdate: Mon, 06 Aug 2012
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2012 The Billings Gazette
Contact: http://billingsgazette.com/app/contact/?contact=letter
Website: http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515

FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM DRUG TREATMENT COURT

The first time District Judge Ingrid Gustafson saw Katy Irmen, the
expectant mother was homeless, jobless, addicted to drugs and
convicted of felony drug possession.

Last week, Irmen appeared again in Gustafson's courtroom, as she has
almost every Thursday for more than a year. But now the slender,
25-year-old mom is clean and sober. She is caring for her 1-year-old
daughter and 7-year-old son. They have safe housing in Interfaith
Hospitality Network's transitional apartments. Irmen arranged reliable
day care for her children while she works full time. Neat, poised and
self-assured, Irmen's appearance gives no hint of the struggles she
waged over the past 14 months.

The 13th Judicial District Drug Court primarily has participants who
are addicted to methamphetamine and prescription painkillers, said
court coordinator Shelley Thomson. And most of them have children.

"We've got one client starting her first year of college, and two
others applying for higher education," Thomson said. "With the help of
our partnering treatment agency (Rimrock Foundation), we've managed to
keep a majority of our clients clean and sober, with few relapses.
None of our clients have been arrested or charged with any new
criminal offenses while in our court. We've partnered with many
community agencies, and have developed a steering committee made up of
community members, agency heads and leaders in law enforcement and
criminal justice."

No violent or sex offenders are admitted to the program, which usually
runs near its maximum of 20 participants, said Juli Pierce, who
represents the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office on the drug court
team.

One significant measure of the program's success is the babies.
Irmen's daughter was born drug free. Nine babies, all drug-free and in
the care of their parents, have been born to drug court participants
in the program's first 15 months, Gustafson said.

A baby started crying as Gustafson called the court to order. The
judge called each participant by first name and asked: "How was your
week?"

This week was a rare session when all participants made progress and
none failed to follow treatment plans. Each was rewarded with a round
of applause led by the judge.

The last two participants received the highest judicial praise. They
had successfully completed more than a year of drug court to become
graduates.

"It saved my life," Irmen said as she accepted the judge's
congratulations.

"I put a lot of work and effort into my program," Irmen said outside
the courtroom. What kept her going when it got tough?

"My kids," she said.

The program has succeeded as Gustafson hoped, but there is much more
work to do.

"I wish we could expand our court," she said. "At law and motion
almost every case involves drugs and alcohol."

The people in treatment court have been through the court system
repeatedly with multiple felony offenses. They've been convicted,
jailed, and still they kept abusing drugs.

The 13th Judicial District Drug Court shows that vicious cycle can be
stopped. Instead of the community paying to imprison these folks, they
become self-supporting taxpayers.

However, there are costs for treatment, supervision, frequent drug
testing and other resources to put hard-core addicts on a path to recovery.

Like the 13th Judicial District Drug Court, most treatment courts in
Montana started with time-limited federal grants that have allowed the
state to reap the treatment court benefits with minimal state funds
invested. The 2009 and 2011 Legislatures appropriated the same modest
amount of funding to be split between dozens of treatment courts
statewide. The 2013 Legislature would be wise to continue that
investment at a level that allows successful programs to keep reducing
recidivism.

- -------------------

[sidebar]

If you go

The fourth annual jubilee held by King of Glory Lutheran Church will
benefit the 13th Judicial District Drug Court and Young Families Early
Head Start.

Two events are planned. First, at 1 p.m. on Sept. 30 a golf scramble
starts at Eagle Rock Golf Course.

On Oct. 13, the jubilee celebration at the church, 4125 Grand Ave.,
will feature food, entertainment and a silent auction. Doors open at 6
p.m.

For golf registration or more information on either event, call the
church at 652-1690, drug court coordinator Shelley Thomson at 839-3511
or Young Families Early Head Start at 259-2007.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt