DRUG COURT GRADUATES SECOND CLASS

A courtroom full of families, supporters and friends were in attendance of the 21st District Drug Court on Monday evening to see seven convicted drug users graduate from the two-year program.

The program, according to Judge Timothy L.  Easter, is four-phased, including more than 100 drug screenings and 90 days in jail.

All of the graduates had been convicted, were looking at jail time and had the choice of attending the program -- which is not easy, according to Easter.

"We had to know they were serious about addressing their problem," he said.

During phase two of the program participants are allowed to return to their residences, work or go to school full time and participate in community service projects but continue to undergo treatment and testing.

U.S.  Rep.  Marsha Blackburn spoke briefly after the graduates shared their stories.  Blackburn encouraged the graduates and credited the Drug Court with good work.

"What you've done is very important to your lives," she said.  "There is no single answer to America's drug problems, but this is a start.  This is an enormous achievement for years to come and there will be plenty of temptation."

Gayle Moyer Harris, Drug Court coordinator, said the community should support the program.

"This program benefits more than just these men, but the community," Harris said.  "This helps make them good employees, spouses and community volunteers.  We need the help of the community and their support."

During the first graduation there were only three participants who graduated from the program.  Members this year included Keith Bennett, Jeff Kirby, Truevillion Haddox, David Capobianco, Terry Carlton-Cotton, Frank McRight and Dean Harrison.

Bennett talked about his 11 years of drug use and how "selfish and sick" he was.

"I'm all different today.  I can look anyone in the eye because of this program."

Capobianco said he had tried to blame his environment for his addiction since the age of 13, which also including selling drugs.

"I finally realized that it's a disease.  It wasn't my environment, it was me.  I finally realize today is a gift; that's why we call it, a present."

Carlton-Cotton was sentenced to eight years but was on probation and had violated it when he came to Drug Court.  Now he says he plans to return to college so that he can help troubled youth.

"I've had a troubled childhood.  My life was going straight downhill.  This ( Drug Court ) is a gift from God.  Stay clean."

Echoing those same thoughts were Haddox, Kirby and Harrison, all of whom had stolen to support their drug habits.  And, in turn, each said they were grateful for the Drug Court program.

Frank McRight was addicted to prescription drugs.  When he ended up in court, Easter said he had burglarized three homes.

"He was doing things that were out of character to him but not to a drug addict," Easter said.

McRight said he had fought the addiction for years.

"This is a powerful disease.  I had a very powerful spiritual awakening.  This is a very simple program, but it's not easy.  Years ago, when I first became aware of my problem, I went to meetings in Kentucky."

McRight said he had been in and out of meetings and had suffered with the problem, then suffered an illness and was prescribed more drugs and that, according to him, was "a bad decision."

"There are all kinds of addicts.  To become drug-free I would have to make changes in my life and at that time I wasn't willing.  I believe the biggest gift of Drug Court was the structure and accountability.

"One of my most important memories was spending Christmas in jail, sitting in one of those boxes, reflecting on the past year," McRight added.  "We had to do these corny crafts out of paper, but I took my tree and hung it on my bunk.  Then I realized how one year ago I was a priest in a church."

Graduation doesn't mean the men are through with their commitment.  They will continue to work with the Drug Court and offer their services to the community.