Clean and Sober

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

Five Vernon Countians are now graduates of the Vernon County Drug Court, all of them well on their way to a new life without the old burden of drug activity in their lives. The drug court, a diversionary program aimed at helping those who've been charged with drug related crimes choose a different path for their lives, gives them the opportunity to change, but it's up to the individual graduate to stay on that path, taking advantage of the resources available to help them through, said Ann Wilson of the state courts administrator's office. Substance abuse counselors, law enforcement officers including probation officers, the prosecutor, judges and others comprise the drug court, offering support that goes beyond a court requirement that the participant complete a drug treatment program -- although that's also part of the deal.

Addressing the five graduates, Wilson said, "Addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a disease, but you must make sure you use those tools."

She advised graduates to team up with past graduates to find ways to give back to the community, suggesting forming an alumni association. Past graduates and many community leaders are resources available as well, evidenced by the faces in the crowd attending.

Tedd Maxfield, director of the YMCA, which provides opportunities for exercise to drug court participants, local defense attorneys involved with the cases represented by the graduates, Parks and Recreation Director Carol Branham, counselors and many others attended to show their support of the program and of the graduates. The Vernon County Drug Court's first graduate, Ron Ipock, sat in the front row. He's now living a healthy lifestyle and "doing well," he said. Ipock is now in his second year of studies at Pittsburg State University. Another graduate, Steve Lewis, attended as well and reports a continued sober lifestyle. He is now employed by the city of Nevada.

Chances are, most of the five graduates will be as successful as these predecessors, in that they won't return to a drug influenced lifestyle and won't end up back in the court system, according to statistics provided by Circuit Judge James Bickel. According to studies cited, only 10 percent of drug court graduates commit new crimes. Of those sent to jail only, about 70 percent commit new crimes.

Bickel said that nation wide, drug courts are potentially saving the people billions of dollars per year.

For example, he said, "If these five graduates received the minimum sentence, and those sentences ran concurrently, they would be sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison," at a cost of $13,225 per year per person, according to recent studies. Although Bickel notes he believes the actual cost of housing prisoners is often much higher, he pointed out that at the rate quoted, diverting these people to drug court instead of jail has saved the state of Missouri $277,725.

And there are other costs, which are less obvious but nevertheless directly related to drug use, such as the cost to victims and the state when additional crimes take place, medical costs associated with babies born to drug-addicted mothers and so on.

Drug court does have a cost associated with it, but the benefits far exceed the cost, Bickel said.

Combined, the five graduates spent a total of 24 days in the Vernon County jail, at an estimated cost to the county of $25 per day.

The treatment program costs about $3,500. However, participants paid a total of $5,615 in fees, offsetting the costs incurred.

Still, it's not a get-out-of-jail free card. Participants must meet several requirements, and must be employed or contributing to the community in one way or another. Especially during the first phase of the program, frequent -- usually weekly -- visits to the court are required. If participants stumble or backslide, then they're sent backward in the program, which means the process takes longer. Drug court participants who don't keep their end of the bargain in certain circumstances can be kicked out of the program. However, those who complete the program get their cases dismissed with prejudice, a legal term that means the case can never be charged against them again.

Prosecutor Lynn Ewing ceremonially asked that the judge dismiss each case, handing each graduate a copy of Bickel's order to do so, in a symbolic closing of the door on the past. Each graduate, Megan Bates, Angie Johnston-Beckman, Mark Harth, W. Jarod Kimberlin, and Janice E Quamme now have the makings of a bright future ahead of them.

Quamme, said of her experience, "It was really hard. I'm glad it's over." Of her case, drug court officials said they hesitated to accept her into the program because of doubts she would be successful. But after a time, her attitude began to change, and Bickel reports that she's now respectful, a good mother to her daughter Elizabeth and prepared to face life clean and sober.

Ewing said, "I'm really proud to be able to say this worked for a hard case."

The change in some participants is remarkable, and each should be credited with making the choice to change and to do what was needed to effect such a change.

Kimberlin, "didn't have a problem" when he entered drug court, Bickel said during the graduation ceremony.

Kimberlin echoed the sentiment in his own speech, but noted he did have one problem: the Nevada police wouldn't leave him alone.

But along the way he found he'd just been unwilling to face his problems and finally was able to overcome many of them with the help of the drug court staff.

Kimberlin thanked his family, his defense attorney, and several others that were instrumental in his recovery so far, and surprised the drug court panel with an award of his own.

Kimberlin presented the group with a plaque of appreciation. Inscribed at the bottom of the plaque were these words, "Thank you for saving my life."