DRUG COURT GRADUATE SHARES SUCCESS STORY

Accountability.

That's what got him where he is today.

Matt Heath graduated from Plymouth County's Drug Court Dec. 10 as one of
the first from the program that celebrated it's one year anniversary in
October.

"This is the best I've felt since I was 14 or 15," the 34-year-old said.
"Drugs do bad things to your life."

Heath entered drug court in February, a decision he didn't really want to
make because of the commitment and changes he new were ahead.

The other option -- going to prison for misdemeanor charges of possession
of marijuana and drug paraphernalia -- was an alternative he gave serious
consideration, Heath said.

"I was looking to go to prison for the third time in my life," he said.
"It took me a couple of months to put my feet into drug court."

But he decided he wanted to be there for his wife and son and his
estranged daughter.

"If it wouldn't have been for me having a kid, I wouldn't have got through
this," Heath said.

Jennica Jackes, adult probation officer for drug court, said "it was a
rough start in the beginning" for Heath partially because of his impulsive
thought process.

"That's probably the hardest thing I've had to overcome," Heath said.

As long as he focuses on his daily routine like showering, eating and
getting regular haircuts, he's learned the larger problems in life don't
matter as much, Heath said.

That's what drug court is all about, Jackes said.

Drug Court puts clients with substance abuse charges in front of a panel
of their peers. The panelists study each offender's situation and give
that person work to help with his or her recovery through structure and
accountability.

"It's been a really hard, rough road. Every day I tell myself what I have
to do today," Heath said. "Going to NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and getting
involved in NA things helped."

Before entering drug court Heath chose alcohol and drugs to make his
decisions for him.

"I have goals now," Heath said. "Now I have responsibilities. I'm
accountable for every aspect of my life."

Jackes said Heath has also developed self-respect, a necessary attribute
to becoming a former addict.

For Heath, his attitude turn-around in drug court came from a former
teacher on the panel who remembered Heath was once a star athlete in high
school before getting into drugs.

"He told me if I put one-half the effort into being sober that I did as a
junkie all those years there's no reason why I can't make it," Heath said.

Before that conversation Jackes said Heath was difficult to work with.

"People are more resistant because they feel they have no options," Jackes
said. "If they give it a chance and really work at the program, they will
reap the benefits."

Heath said his friends are proud of his success and he is proud too. Not
only is he now sober, but he shares his story at various NA events and at
other opportunities.

"I got too many things in my life to get high," Heath said. "I am going to
be an addict the rest of my life. You still have to live life. You just
live differently."

Heath said his personal focus is to share his experiences with drugs and
drug court with young people so they won't end up in his situation.

Jackes said although Heath's road through drug court hasn't been easy,
he's maintaining his success by attending NA meetings and calling his
sponsor.

"Matt knows he needs that accountability," Jackes said. "If he did not
have that accountability, it would fall apart."

And Heath said he learned that through drug court.