DRUG COURT GRADUATES BASK IN THEIR SUCCESS

Recovering Addicts, Alcoholics Celebrate Their Sobriety And Aren't Afraid
To Reflect On The Tougher Times

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- They tearfully apologized to their families and
friends, gratefully acknowledged the help of even the police officers who
arrested them and laughed at the stumbles they made on the way to a
drug-free life.

Sixteen rehabilitated drug addicts and alcoholics graduated from Rancho
Cucamonga drug court this week, celebrating many months of sobriety after
years of addiction.

Humor, drama and pride abounded as San Bernardino County Superior Court
Commissioner Ronald Gilbert presided over a ceremony Thursday evening in
the City Council chambers at Rancho Cucamonga City Hall. It was the local
drug court's fourth graduation, bringing the total number of graduates to
49 since the treatment program began at the West Valley courthouse in 1998.

Of the 49 graduates, only one has been arrested since leaving the program,
Gilbert told the audience of recovering addicts, family members, treatment
counselors, probation and police officers and other officials.

"That's pretty staggering," he said.

Drug court gives repeat offenders who are addicts a chance to avoid jail or
prison, primarily for drug possession or being under the influence of
narcotics. In return, they undergo a yearlong regimen of classes at the
Matrix Institute on Addictions, 12-step meetings and urine testing. After
graduating, they receive six months of less intensive follow-up care. About
100 people are enrolled in the West Valley courthouse program at any given
time.

Gilbert announced each graduate individually, and some spoke to the audience.

Joe Borgia walked up to receive his certificate of completion and looked
out at everyone.

"We made it!" he said.

As part of an inspirational speech, Gordon Fingers, brother of Baseball
Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers, said Gilbert won't hesitate to throw
drug court clients in jail if they break the program's strict rules.

"He gives you what you deserve," Fingers said as his brother listened in
the audience. "And he gave it to me twice."

But Mike Richardson, who lost his home and his wife and children because of
his addiction, spoke of Gilbert's other side.

"Judge, you've been like a father to me," he said.

"I hope you take care of me when I'm old," Gilbert replied to laughter.

Maryke Veenstra, a mother of two young children who has been clean for 497
days, cried as she asked her family for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done," she said. "Especially my kids and how
I treated them."

Brad Davis also broke down in tears as he addressed his parents.

"I'm sorry for putting you through hell," he said.

He recalled his addiction: "I lived with that pipe every 20 minutes."

But he also was upbeat about his new life.

"Being sober's fantastic," he said.

He told new drug court clients in the audience, "If I can do it, you can do
it."

Matrix counselor Quinlan Strong gave a dramatic closing speech in which she
said each graduate faces the choice of continuing life's journey in
sobriety or falling back.

"When you awaken tomorrow," she said, "what will your decision be." After
the ceremony, graduate Paul Benoit said it was the urine testing that
forced him to stay sober. He used to go on months-long binges, only calling
home when he landed in jail. His addiction to methamphetamines and alcohol
finally left him homeless. Now he has his own apartment, a new job and new
friends.

"This has been the best thing that ever happened to Paul," said his mother,
Christine Benoit of Rancho Cucamonga. "He's become a different person."