ST MARTIN DRUG COURT TO BEGIN TODAY

St. Martin Drug Court to begin today Barbara L. Nelson Posted on September
5, 2002 ST. MARTINVILLE - The St. Martin Parish Adult Drug Court begins
today, opening a new way of life for those who want help in turning away
from drugs and a life of crime.

"I think the program saved my life," said David, 47, who has six months
left of intensive counseling at the Iberia Parish Drug Court in operation
since 1998. "Not only was I using marijuana, I was a crack addict since I
was 13."

The people who participate in the program are promised anonymity so they
can start over once they've completed the program.

With a $135,000 grant from the Louisiana Supreme Court, St. Martin Parish
has 30 openings for people convicted of drug offenses. Those who plead
guilty to drug charges enter an intensive 18-month counseling program in
lieu of going to jail.

"Those people who think it's a get out of jail free card are in for a rude
awakening," said Elisa M. Conner, St. Martin Parish Drug Court coordinator.
"It has to be a true desire - a burning desire - to turn their lives around."

In Iberia Parish more than 500 people have entered the program, with 70
percent of those staying clean and sober, said Iberia Drug Court officials.

"Naturally, some people see it as an obstacle to overcome," said Will
Guidry, contract social worker for the Iberia Parish Drug Court. "Our job
as counselors is to take those people who are here just for compliance and
lead them onto a road to recovery."

The program includes substance abuse counseling, regular drug screening,
weekly progress reports and home work assignments. The program also
requires that the participants work towards gaining a skill, get a high
school diploma or GED and be gainfully employed before leaving the program.

"For some, coming into the program means they have hit rock bottom," Conner
said. "Their families have turned their backs on them. They've lost their
jobs. We try to bridge that gap. But they have to want the help."

David was right there at the bottom.

"I was about to lose my family, my job," he said. "Being sober has made me
a better husband, a better father and a better teacher."

The St. Martin Parish program was needed because many of those residing in
St. Martin Parish were in the Iberia Parish program.

"A lot of these people are just getting back on their feet and don't have
transportation," Conner said.

The St. Martin Parish Drug Court consists of a coordinator, social services
counselor, probation officer, public defender, prosecuting attorney and
Judge Paul deMahy.

A ceremony will take place today at 5 p.m. at the St. Martin Parish
Courthouse in honor of the late 16th Judicial District Court Judge Carl
Williams, who was instrumental in the drug courts creation in St. Martin
Parish.