YOU BE THE JUDGE:'RECOVERY COURT' SERVING AS ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL

OTSEGO COUNTY -- Standing before 46th Circuit Court Judge Patricia
Morse, more than 20 members of recovery court -- formerly known as
drug court - wait for their name to be called to stand before the
judge, their peers and the recovery court team to report their progress.

Set in an informal, yet personable tone, the court praises successes
and admonishes failure. For some, if recovery court isn't working, the
alternate consequence is jail.

Recovery court began in February 2008 and was recently awarded nearly
$72,000 in state grant funding to take it through 2009.

In addition to Morse and Rudi Edel, court administrator, the team is
made up of representatives from Community Mental Health, the
Department of Human Services, Catholic Human Services, the
prosecutor's office, probation and parole, defense attorney and
Community Corrections. Participants of the bimonthly court receive
small prizes, praise and applause for such feats as 28 days of
sobriety, 185 days of sobriety and even one member who earned 220 days
of sobriety as of the Dec. 23 court. His goal is to be the first to
graduate from the program, which takes 18-24 months to complete.

"The community really supports this program," said Edel in reference
to the prizes donated from area businesses.

During the Dec. 23 court, each participant received a new calendar,
donated by Mid-North Printing, and were encouraged to fill the date
book with their appointments, court dates and drug testing dates. They
also had an opportunity to draw from a "fish bowl" for a chance to win
a prize.

Successful participants shared a similar sentiment: "The longer you
go, the easier it gets."

They are strongly encouraged to seek work, if they're not working, as
well as to select a sponsor. They submit to random drug/alcohol
screens and participate in regular drug testing.

Participants also are ordered a court probation officer, who checks on
them regularly.

Under the new name, "recovery court," the program is expanded to
include those who suffer from alcohol and hard drug addiction, as well
as mental health issues.