Service project helps addicts

Former drug users boost self-respect by aiding others

— A group of sober drug addicts got more from their court-mandated community service project than the shelter for which they collected food.

“You feel a whole lot less like using when you feel good about something you’re doing,” said 25-year-old Henry Loudermilk.

Loudermilk has been a participant in Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin’s drug court for about a year.

“There’s a lot of people out there who need help,” Loudermilk said. “The drug court people have treated us like family. Giving something back like this just makes you feel good.”

Members of Griff in’s group of second-chancers is required to complete a community service project to earn the points that will secure their freedom one day and lead to a graduation from the highly supervised programthat takes as many hours weekly as a part-time job.

This year, the participants chose to collect nonperishable food items for Texarkana’s Randy Sams’ Shelter for the Homeless.

“It’s not all about us anymore like it was when we were using,” said Crystal M., who asked that her last name not be used.

Crystal was a methamphetamine abuser before she was placed in Griffin’s court.

“This program makes you work through the bad parts of yourself,” she said.

Jo Fredrickson, an Arkansas probation/parole officer who works with the drug court participants, credits Griffin for much of the program’s success.

“We couldn’t do anything without Judge Griffin. I can’t say enough good things about the program and about the judge. Anything we need, he helps us do it. He had a million things to do but he took this on because he saw that it could work,” Fredrickson said. “In court, he knows about them, about their children, about their problems. It does change their lives.”

The participants echoed Fredrickson’s assessment.

“I was knocking on death’s door,” said Lititia Reynolds, 26. “Drug court saved my life. Miller County saved my life.”

Fredrickson said she has been surprised at the passion the drug-court offenders have shown for their food drive.

“Several have made contacts through this and are becoming volunteers with other organizations. Giving back to the community that once had to incarcerate them has opened their eyes,” Fredrickson said. “I’m amazed.”

Griffin has been presiding over his drug court since 2001. He was appointed by the state Supreme Court to sit on a state drug court advisory board, and he is chairman of the judicial drug court committee.

On average, the program’s participants number about 35. Individuals convicted of violent offenses or of sexual misconduct cannot participate. As one offender completes the three phases necessary for graduation, others are introduced into the program.

“You can see it in their eyes when they start changing because of drug court,” Griffin said. “They may fightyou tooth and nail for six or eight months, and then one day they walk into that courtroom and you can sense on their face that something has happened. Sitting where I sit, you can observe a visible difference in that person when they realize we’re not trying to hurt them.”

Kolton Saulsbury, 21, said it took time but he is now committed to the program.

“It’s a confidence booster to learn you can stay off drugs and have fun,” Saulsbury said. “I’ve loved this food drive because it’s always good to help other people and get your mind off yourself.”

Griffin said he tells program participants that drug court isn’t punishment.

“When they come in, I explain that drug court is here to see that you succeed,” Griffin said. “I want the community to know that drug court is a viable alternative to our criminal justice system for those suffering from addiction. It’s not letting them off easy by any means. Everything they accomplish, they have to earn.”

Griff in said watching someone go from a drain on the community to a productive taxpayer gives immense satisfaction.

“I want to express my appreciation to employers that are willing to work with our drug court participants,” Griffin said. “Allowing them to keep their jobs while completing the many things drug court requires is a benefit to us all. Keeping these people employed keeps them successful and for many of the addicts, their job is a source ofpride and encouragement.”

Most offenders spend a minimum of two years in Griffin’s court. The shortest time in which one can graduate is 18 months, and relapse can mean a second time through the court.

“This go-around, I set a goal for myself,” said Evelyn Lee.

Lee completed the drug court program in 2003 in the minimum amount of time but went back to drugs a couple of years later.

At 47, she recently completed her first semester of college and is working towardcertification as a substance abuse counselor.

“I give most of the credit to Judge Griffin,” Lee said. “If he wouldn’t have been so understanding, if he’d said, ‘No second chance,’ I don’t know where I’d be. I can’t see myself letting him down.”

Many of the drug court participants said daily visits with their probation officers and the fact they are randomly drug tested at least twice weekly keeps them sober in their early weeks in the court.

“It’s better than going to prison,” said Greg Pearson, 41. “After I finish the drug court, I’ll have to keep going to NA [Narcotics Anonymous] meetings. Judge Griffin and the team, they want to help us. This is a good program.”

Heather Warren, who is in her 20s and has less than a month in drug court after a six-month stay in court-ordered drug treatment, saidshe already feels a change in herself.

“I’m building friendships with sober people,” Warren said. “And I don’t look at the judge and probation like they’re out to get you, like when I was out there using.”

Griffin said the drug court works because of the team of professionals who run it. In addition to a judge and probation officer, a public defender, a prosecutor and a counselor meet regularly to staff cases and develop plans for offenders.

“We’re not here to see you fail,” Griffin said. “If it’s a pat on the back you deserve, I’m going to give you a pat on the back. If you mess up, I’m going to give you a kick in the seat of your pants. But thegoal is to see you succeed.”

All of the offenders who braved the December chill to unload boxes of canned goods at Randy Sams’ said they will always remember Griffin.

“I’m so grateful to the judge,” Reynolds said. “That man loves us and he doesn’t have to.”

Arkansas, Pages 11 on 12/21/2009

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