JEFFERSON DRUG COURT'S SUCCESS CELEBRATED ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Program Among First In U.S.; New Graduates Speak

Judge Henry Weber, the drug court's founder, handed Luke, 1 1/2, to mother
Kara Hickey, a drug court participant, yesterday.

Karen Freeman-Wilson, president of the National Office of Drug Court
Professionals, applauded as 11 drug court graduates were recognized. She
praised the Louisville program.

Kara Hickey was 25, eight months pregnant and regularly injecting heroin
into her small frame.

She didn't know what effect the heroin, along with the "off-and-on" use of
methadone, was having on the child growing inside her. All she knew was her
drug addiction.

But in a Jefferson County courtroom in November 2001, Hickey said Circuit
Judge Thomas B. Wine gave her a quick lesson in reality.

"He said, 'You're facing two years in prison or I'll allow you to go to
drug court,' " Hickey re called . "I didn't even know what drug court was."

Yesterday, as Hickey watched 11 people graduate from Jefferson Drug Court,
she proudly displayed a success story for the court-monitored program that
mixes treatment and therapy. During yesterday's ceremony, which was part
graduation and part 10th- anniversary celebration for the drug court,
Hickey -- who is set to graduate in October -- balanced her 11/2-year-old
son Luke on her hip.

"He's one of our 45 drug-free babies," Judge Henry Weber, founder of the
drug court, told the crowd at the old Jefferson County Courthouse as he
took Luke in his arms. "Mom's doing good, and this is a drug-free baby."

A decade after the first class of four began in drug court , 331 people
have graduated. Even more have gone through four other court-monitored
treatment programs that were added as part of the drug court.

Before the 11 graduates received their diplomas yesterday, local and
national officials and advocates praised the county program that they say
helped set an example for the country.

In 1993 there were fewer than 20 such courts in the nation. Today more than
800 are operating and 400 more are in the planning stages, said Karen
Freeman-Wilson, president of the National Office of Drug Court Professionals.

"Because of your willingness to be on the cutting edge, the entire drug
court movement has expanded," said Freeman-Wilson, glancing at a row of
Jefferson County officials. "Thank you."

Only nonviolent offenders are eligible for the program , which takes most
participants 18 months to complete. Treatment includes counseling and group
therapy. Participants are tested for drug use , and those who relapse or
miss therapy can be sent to jail before being readmitted to the program.

As graduates took their turns giving short testimonials, each talked of how
rocky the road to recovery can be. They talked of slipping, of leaning on
family members who refused to give up. They told how the program they at
first scoffed at helped them survive.

"Thank God for Judge Weber," said graduate Marsha Johnson, who was choking
up as she spoke. "You looked beyond my file, seeing success in my life."

After she apologized for the tears, she said, "I want to say that drug
court allowed me the chance to get back on the road of life and success."

To have even more graduates like Johnson, national officials say money is
needed. Scott Burns, deputy director of the White House Office of National
Drug Control Policy, told the gathering that President Bush is dedicated to
drug prevention and intervention.

Burns explained how the administration was asking for $68 million to fund
drug courts next year, up from the current $44 million.

The crowd applauded.

"And I applaud you back," Burns said. "The reason the administration is
asking for this money is drug courts work. The proof is sitting right here."

For Hickey, who lives in a cottage in Anchorage and has money in the bank
for the first time, the proof yesterday was watching other drug court
participants get their diplomas.

Life changed for her, she said, on that November day when she stood before
Wine with a choice to make.

"I thought of him," she said, looking at her son. "What life would he have
with mom doped up and in jail? ... I've learned to take it one day at a
time ; that's what they tell you."