COURT PROGRAM OFFERS ADDICTS HOPE

... and a second chance at life

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- "You are all here because you have a problem with
drugs," Superior Court Judge Christopher Money said as he surveyed the
courtroom packed with probationers.

On this day, some 25 men and women -- each sentenced by the judge for
felony drug offenses -- wait among the throng of probation officers, drug
counselors and family members for their turn to be called to the bench.

They are people who admit to being drug addicts; people hand-picked by
Money himself. In addition to attending court-ordered drug programs, they
are required as part of their probation to appear once a month during the
lunch hour for a one-on-one chat with the judge.

Money calls these drug treatment reviews. By all accounts, the fledgling
program has been the most successful locally in curbing drug addictions.

Money, who was instrumental in launching the program, limits the number of
participants to about 35. In the six months since its inception, the judge
has "terminated" roughly a dozen probationers from the program because they
consistently attend drug treatment meetings and have made great strides in
turning their lives around.

The county Probation Department is seeking grants to expand the program to
three courtrooms. Federal funds are also being sought to pay for extensive
drug treatment services, something sorely lacking in this county, said
Probation Chief John Lum.

"Judge Money had the foresight to recognize that if we want to make an
impact on the problem of people addicted to substances, we need to do
something different than what we've been doing," said Lum.

Using Money's monthly review as a model, a team of representatives from the
Probation Department, the Public Defender's Office, the Sheriff's Office,
the District Attorney's Office and county Drug and Alcohol Services was
created to develop a uniform strategy for dealing with drug addicts.

The plan is to provide treatment services, from the moment a drug offender
is booked into County Jail, to more intensive scrutiny by probation
officers and other professionals whose common goal is to support the
recovery of alcoholics and drug addicts. While the concept targets adult
offenders, the goal is to ultimately expand to include juvenile drug
violators.

"I handle one-third of the felony calendar, and you can see from those
cases the magnitude of the problem we have in this county, mostly with
methamphetamine," said Judge Money. "These are people with tragic stories,
from all backgrounds and with great promise that was ruined because of
their addiction."

Money said by making people accountable and encouraging them to stick with
their court-ordered treatment, their chances of beating their addiction are
greatly improved.

Money recognizes part of the recovery process allows for occasional
relapses. He tends to be more lenient on those who are making an effort. He
chooses those for the program who indicate a willingness to work on their
problem.

For those who don't attend their programs, have lost contact with their
probation officers and don't show up for their monthly court appearances,
he issues a warrant for their arrest.

"It's amazing how many of these people are doing so well," said Gary
Joralemon, a deputy probation officer who supervises the adult felony unit.

"At sentencing the judge explains to certain people that he wants to see
them on a more regular basis. A lot of these people have never had a
success in their life; we don't have a lot of high achievers on probation.
So when they have a superior court judge pat them on the back and genuinely
wants to see them succeed, that really means something."

Once a month Money gives up a lunch hour to spend a few minutes asking each
participating probationer about his or her progress. He offers
encouragement even to those who admit to using drugs in the weeks since
their last informal appearance.

The judge then asks the individual's probation officer for an assessment of
the progress. "Why haven't you been to your NA meetings?" Money gently
probes one dark-haired man in his 30s, who said he works in construction.
"It's important that you go to these meetings -- you will not be able to
control your problem without them," Money continued. "I don't want you to
relapse."

The man promises to attend more meetings. Like all probationers ordered to
Money's treatment review, he is then escorted to a room to meet with a drug
counselor. Sometimes those who show are tested on the spot for drugs in
their system.

Probation officers carry into court portable urine tests that give instant
results. Probationers who test positive for drugs are taken to jail.

At the judge's discretion, those who regularly attend treatment programs
and consistently test negative for drugs are dropped from the treatment
review program.

To be "terminated" from the program is a graduation day of sorts. The
probationer merits an emotional round of applause from the judge and all
those looking on in the courtroom.

One woman who appeared to be in her 40s told the judge she had a job and
hadn't tested positive for drugs for months. Her probationer officer
concurred.

"I'm very proud of you," Money told the woman. Turning to her probation
officer, the judge continued: "Due to her success, I recommend that she be
terminated from the program."

Following a round of applause, the woman beamed as though she'd never been
applauded for anything in her life. Jay Aguilar said he has been addicted
to drugs since he was a boy growing up in Oceano. The 28-year-old father of
four girls said his latest drug of choice is heroin.

He said he hasn't used drugs for three months, and his probation officer
who pays regular home visits confirmed Aguilar's tests have been clean.

"Every day is recovery for me; I don't want to fail at this," Aguilar
assured the judge.

"I believe you," Money responded warmly. "I know it's hard. But I know you
can do it."

Outside the court room, Aguilar said his drug addiction has cost him his
family. He is currently separated from his wife and daughters, although he
is working to restore his family.

"You gotta want to change, or you won't," he said. "But it's the support
from the judge and my probation officer that has really helped. Judge Money
has given me lots of chances -- I think he really cares -- and these
monthly reviews give me something to think about when I'm out there on my
own. Every time I think about using, all I have to do is think, 'Wait a
minute -- I gotta face the judge,' and that picture in my mind takes the
desire right away."