FORREST DRUG COURT MARKS SUCCESSES

Circuit Judge Uses Grant To Help Change Lives Of Abusers

The successes of the Forrest County justice system over the past year
is reflected in the faces of Helen Nicholson and Chad Harrison.

The two, rather than ending up behind bars, joined 18 others to make
up Circuit Judge Bob Helfrich's new Adult Drug Court. Helfrich meets
with the 20 defendants he assigned to the program every Monday at noon.

The state Legislature authorized drug courts but the operation was not
funded. Helfrich was able to obtain a grant from Asbury Foundation to
operate the court for three years.

Harrison, 23, who violated probation with a drug arrest in Lamar
County, said he was pleased last week to join other drug defendants.

He now has to attend 30 meetings in 30 days. They can range from
meetings with a counselor to attending alcoholic and narcotics
meetings. Harrison said he has to get a job or look for one or be in
school. He has to perform community service.

"Your conduct will take you to jail or the grave," Helfrich told
Harrison.

"Yes sir, I know," Harrison said. "My family is behind me in this. I
feel good. I've been clean 90 days. I know that drugs mess you up."

Nicholson, 39, of Richton, considers drug court a blessing. "This is
wonderful. As for the judge, I think he's wonderful."

Helfrich meets and talks with every drug court participant. Some
complain they can't find jobs.

"How long has it been since you had a job?" Helfrich asked Marie
Myers.

"You mean a legal one?" she asked to the laughter of the
group.

Helfrich responded: "I want you all in the work force where they take
out taxes to pay my salary."

Helfrich said the court "can literally save people's lives if the
community will give it a chance."

"It's important because this program can put families back together
and makes taxpaying citizens out of people, many of whom have never
worked before."