THIS COURT TRIES TO SENTENCE USERS TO A LIFE WITHOUT PRISON OR DRUGS

Court Tries To Sentence Users To A Better Life

"R" began smoking marijuana when he was 15.

His aunts and uncles were drug users. His cousins were drug users. It
seemed natural.

"I was only using it casually," he told Judge Timothy J. Patterson, who
presides over Jefferson County's Drug Court. His name is being withheld to
protect his privacy.

By the time "R" graduated from Crystal City High School, his drug use had
become a habit. Though he was going to college, half-heartedly pursuing a
degree in psychology, his most persistent interest was getting high.

"I was working on going to college, but I was just floating," he said. "I
didn't have too many goals."

Then he got arrested. He was carrying marijuana at the time.

Prosecutors gave him a choice. He could plead guilty to a possession
charge, get a record and face potential prison time or probation, or he
could go to the county's drug court, a pre-plea, high-intensity supervision
program that, if he was successful, would make the charge go away.

"R" graduated from the county's 15-month Drug Court program on Friday. His
girlfriend and 19-month-old son were in the audience. The judge,
prosecutors, public defenders, police, mental health counselors and fellow
participants stood to applaud his success.

"R" is now 26. He works as a salesman for a marketing firm. He and his
girlfriend are thinking about getting married and maybe even buying a house.

These are things he thought he wouldn't have a chance for on the day of his
arrest.

"I was scared," he said. "I didn't want to be a criminal. I was trying to
be a productive citizen."

In that moment, "R" says, he realized that drugs were ruining his life.

The concept of an alternative drug court was introduced in Missouri with a
program in Kansas City in 1993. Jefferson County started its own pilot
program in January 2002.

The county received word last week that the Legislature had approved
funding for a full-time drug court commissioner in the county. The measure
is awaiting the approval of Gov. Bob Holden.

To date, three people have graduated from the county's program. Eight are
under supervision.

The program uses a combination of treatment, supervision, praise and
counseling to help offenders turn their lives around. There are frequent
drug tests.

Those who successfully complete the program walk away drug-free, without a
record. Those who stumble face criminal prosecution.

Supreme Court Judge Ray Price says about 2,200 people have graduated from
drug court programs around the state since their inception. Only about 6
percent have committed new crimes.

When he was using, "R" says, that's all he could see himself doing. When he
was high, he didn't have to worry about his mother and siblings. He didn't
have to worry about succeeding. "I was using drugs to escape my reality,"
he said. "I didn't have to have manners when I was high. I didn't have to
be perfect."

Then came the arrest - and the program.

"I feel very grateful," he said. "I feel very humble. Naturally, I feel
healthier. I didn't know how powerless or out of control my life had become."

While he works in sales, "R" is also trying to break into the music
business. He does studio work in his home.

The drug court presented him with a gift certificate from the Guitar Center
as a graduation gift.