Drug court grad embarks on new life

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

In a room charged with the collective support and good will of about 30 guests and public officials, Steven L. Lewis of Nevada officially became the Vernon County Adult Drug Court's latest success story in a graduation ceremony conducted Tuesday evening. The drug court is designed as an alternative to incarceration, and the goal of a drug court is to give nonviolent drug offenders supervised treatment. The defendants waive their preliminary hearings, the right to a speedy trial, the right to change judges and agree to consent to searches during their time in the program. In return, they get a chance to stay out of jail and kick their addiction. If successful, the case is dismissed and can't be re-filed. Still, the drug court program isn't a get out-of-jail-free-card. If participants fail, prosecutors can use the original criminal charge against them. It's a program that's been used with success in jurisdictions throughout the country -- one that Circuit Judge James Bickel said is proving a success in Vernon County, since at present there are 19 participants in the program, most of whom have jobs and are contributing members of the community while fulfilling their commitment to the drug court. It's no easy task, but after 90 weeks in the program, Lewis earned his graduation by making 34 court appearances, attending 204 12-step program meetings, 86 meetings with a diversionary officer, and literally hundreds of group and individual meetings with the drug court committee and others. Rep. Ed Emery, spoke in praise of Lewis's efforts during the graduation ceremony. Lewis, he said, has demonstrated character. "Character always leads to success," but the opposite isn't necessarily so. Emery spoke of man's ability to choose his own path, guiding his own destiny, noting that Lewis has chosen to change his own path. Bickel said Lewis entered the program in November 2001, and has since secured a job with the city of Nevada, and has remained drug-free -- verified by the court through regular lab tests -- throughout his participation in drug court. Along the way, Lewis wrote an essay about his chance to find new direction through the drug court. Bickel read a short excerpt from it during the graduation ceremony that spoke of "how easy it is to work through the program once you want it." Lewis has been sober for 363 days. Ron Ipock sat in the crowd, supporting his friend and fellow drug court graduate. Ipock graduated from the program in April -- in part, thanks to the support from Lewis and others he met through the drug court, he's remained sober. Lily Ipock, Ron's mother, thanked Lewis and the drug court committee for making a difference in her son's life, and expressed her own appreciation and support for Lewis's continuing effort to better his life. Ipock said he didn't always see eye to eye with Lewis, but as time wore on, they became "good buddies." Ipock added that this accomplishment is important, and he wanted to show Lewis support by attending the graduation. The challenge of continuing with the good and the bad of daily life lies ahead, and Ipock knows from experience that "the true test is still ahead of him (Lewis). Going ahead with staying sober after you're out of the drug court." About two months ago, Ipock was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding a bicycle. He suffered a broken leg and continues to rely on crutches. Ipock said the driver was since caught and is serving a sentence for his involvement in the incident, and Ipock hopes restitution will follow that, because he's been unable to work since the accident, due to his injury. But he never went back to substance abuse. "In the past when things went wrong like that, I would have reacted to it by drinking. Now I don't." he said. Lily Ipock nodded her agreement, and with a broad smile said, "I'm very, very proud."

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