News (Media Awareness Project) - US IN: Series: Day Four - Part 4 Of 5 |
| Title: | US IN: Series: Day Four - Part 4 Of 5 |
| Published On: | 2006-06-28 |
| Source: | Times, The (Munster IN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 01:16:29 |
OFFENDER - DRUG COURT WORKS
Participation In New Program Growing Slowly
VALPARAISO | Krystle O'Barske said she did not initially want to take
part in the county's new drug court program.
The 21-year-old heroin addict said she was prepared to remain at the
jail instead, because nothing much would be expected of her. Yet
after taking part in drug court program for the past three months and
staying away from heroin for a personal best of more than seven
months, O'Barske said she now would recommend the program to other addicts.
"If you truly want to change, do it, because they'll help you
change," she said.
O'Barske and fellow heroin addict Andrea Hric both have managed to
stay clean during their time in the Porter County Alcohol and Other
Drug Court headed up by Porter Superior Judge Julia Jent.
The women, who have been the only participants for several months,
were joined last week by newcomer Ernest Barrientez Jr., a
23-year-old, who said he has been using heroin for two years.
A few more offenders are expected at the court soon, said case
manager Barb Claypool.
Drug court offers qualified offenders the opportunity to wipe their
records clean by successfully completing a program aimed at helping
them overcome drug and alcohol problems. If they fail, they face the
typical penalties for their offenses.
The court is limited to 20 defendants, who must be Porter County
residents, 18 or older and charged with either a D or C felony
offense directly involving drugs or alcohol, or related in some way.
Participants cannot have open warrants, charges pending elsewhere or
prior convictions for felony battery, rape, child molestation, murder
or confinement.
The court program lasts between 12 months and 18 months, and county
officials have said they intend to use the drug court, at least
initially, to respond to the county's heroin problem.
The heroin problem sets Porter County apart from the other 24 drug
courts around the state, said Mary Kay Hudson, who approved the
county's program as drug court coordinator with the Indiana Judicial Center.
Participation In New Program Growing Slowly
VALPARAISO | Krystle O'Barske said she did not initially want to take
part in the county's new drug court program.
The 21-year-old heroin addict said she was prepared to remain at the
jail instead, because nothing much would be expected of her. Yet
after taking part in drug court program for the past three months and
staying away from heroin for a personal best of more than seven
months, O'Barske said she now would recommend the program to other addicts.
"If you truly want to change, do it, because they'll help you
change," she said.
O'Barske and fellow heroin addict Andrea Hric both have managed to
stay clean during their time in the Porter County Alcohol and Other
Drug Court headed up by Porter Superior Judge Julia Jent.
The women, who have been the only participants for several months,
were joined last week by newcomer Ernest Barrientez Jr., a
23-year-old, who said he has been using heroin for two years.
A few more offenders are expected at the court soon, said case
manager Barb Claypool.
Drug court offers qualified offenders the opportunity to wipe their
records clean by successfully completing a program aimed at helping
them overcome drug and alcohol problems. If they fail, they face the
typical penalties for their offenses.
The court is limited to 20 defendants, who must be Porter County
residents, 18 or older and charged with either a D or C felony
offense directly involving drugs or alcohol, or related in some way.
Participants cannot have open warrants, charges pending elsewhere or
prior convictions for felony battery, rape, child molestation, murder
or confinement.
The court program lasts between 12 months and 18 months, and county
officials have said they intend to use the drug court, at least
initially, to respond to the county's heroin problem.
The heroin problem sets Porter County apart from the other 24 drug
courts around the state, said Mary Kay Hudson, who approved the
county's program as drug court coordinator with the Indiana Judicial Center.
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