Published: June 24, 2008 01:58 pm         

Drug court graduates celebrate another chance

It was a celebration of newness of life for three Rowan County Drug Court Graduates June 13.

“If it wasn’t for drug court my baby wouldn’t be here,” said Drug Court Graduate Anthony Barnette.

Carl Prust was happy he graduated from Drug Court and is pursuing one of his life goals.

“I’m trying to start a motorcycle shop,” Prust said. “Things are wonderful.”

“All three graduates have worked very hard in the program,” said Circuit Judge William Mains. “We call this a graduation. In fact, we talked about rephrasing it as a celebration of life. This is not the end but a beginning.”

Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Will T. Scott shared his personal experience dealing with a family member with a drug problem. He informed the crowd that the legal system is not the answer.

“We cannot incarcerate us out of this problem,” Scott said. “The system has not been working.”

Scott said inmates sleep in beds that cost taxpayers $50,000. He said that every year taxpayers spend from $26,500 to $37,000 in prison costs alone.

“It costs $2,500 to put these guys in drug court,” he said. “The court system will protect you for a little while but Drug Court protects you forever.”

“We have 18,000 people in prison for drug related crimes. Forty percent of prison inmates are under 30 years old,” he said.

Scott said drug court graduates and participants are monitored very closely while they are in the program. Participants are routinely drug tested also.

Scott’s son was an addict and has been clean for 29 months. His son went back to college and made a 4.0 grade point average last semester.

Scott left family members and friends a thought to remember at the ceremony.

“One problem with addiction is as a parent or family member we can’t fix it for them. It is something you cannot fix. There is no outside source that can fix it. We (parents or family members) are a part of the problem. We are enabling them to live their lives of addiction.”

Scott said that it is imperative that families to look to the court system for help.

“We want to try this first,” he said. “If we can’t get them, we can’t help them. We can be the tough love parent better than you can. They have to make the choice whether they want to live or die. Life is not about falling down. It’s about getting up.”

“I know the judges and their hearts,” said Senator Walter Blevins. “There is not anyone in this state who has not been affected by drugs. This is a terrific program. It will save many men and women’s lives.”

Pastor Tim Rhodes is a Drug Court Councilor who participated in the graduation ceremony.

“I’m very pleased for these there who are clean and free,” Rhodes said. “I’ll pray for their freedom. I’ve gotten to know them and love them over these months. Drug Court does a good job.”