KAUA'I DRUG COURT GRADUATES 'MOVE ON'

LIHU'E - The words of the afternoon were "support," "choices,"
"change" and "second chances."

The trio of Kaua'i Drug Court graduates said Friday in the Lihu'e
courtroom of Drug Court Judge Calvin Murashige that they are thankful
for all of the above.

Craig Miyazaki had to change everything, he said. After being
"surrounded by drugs," with all of his friends using and selling
drugs, his first arrest left him in a holding cell thinking: "I felt
my life was pretty much over."

With the second chance the Kaua'i Drug Court gave him, "I've been
able to fully turn my life around for the better," with the best of
the better being a re-established relationship with his parents, who
"were the ones most affected" by his drug use, he said.

"I was ready to change," he said, adding that drug court is not for everyone.

"Today he's a different man," said Jennifer Tone, his probation officer.

Even with a positive test for methamphetamine while in the program,
Kym Estacio still emerged as a graduate and is not only committed to
remaining drug-free for her children and others important to her, she
is also aiming to become a certified substance abuse counselor, she said.

If it weren't for drug court, Estacio would be incarcerated, facing
five-year jail sentences for her crimes, she said. As a graduate, she
is "moving on to other places and jail won't be one of them," she said.

After thanking her family, friends and drug court staff, Estacio
said, "My fellow peers, hang in there. Take recovery one day at a time.

"I want to give back to the community and help another addict who
still suffers from the disease we call 'addiction,'" she said.

Eric Sorensen of Hanapepe, at 21 a quadriplegic after injuries
sustained as a passenger in a car driven by a friend who was being
chased by police on the Big Island, said the accident helped him get off drugs.

"If I didn't have this accident, I'd still be doing drugs," he said.
Even while in the drug court program he relapsed several times and
got even deeper into drugs after running away to the Big Island, he said.

"I am very grateful to be alive today. Not everybody gets second
chances," Sorensen said. "Never forget how fast things can change,
for better or for worse."

"I like this courtroom now," said Helen Mattingly, spokesperson for
the drug court alumni. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for such a
giving program."

"No question you all want a better life," she said, adding that there
are consequences for every bad choice and rewards for every good choice.

"Don't turn your backs on this awesome support system you have in
this courtroom," said Mattingly, encouraging the graduates to join
the alumni group. "Make one good choice to give back."

"Everybody brings something to the table," said Alton Amimoto, drug
court coordinator.

"I'm appreciative of them all of the time," he said of the drug court
staff, and thanked United Way of Kaua'i for its financial support of
the Friends of the Kaua'i Drug Court.

"Staying clean and sober is a 24/7 proposition," said Murashige.
"You've worked hard in and out of drug court, but this is only the
start. It's going to be tough to stay drug-free."

"Stay strong," said state Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua'i-Ni'ihau.

"People need to be given a chance," said state Rep. Mina Morita,
D-Kapa'a-Hanalei.

While she sees people at the state Legislature who want to lock up
criminals and throw away the key, she prefers humanity, to "believe
in the best in people. Just remember there are a lot of people behind
you," and make good decisions in the future, Morita said.

Drug court, established in 2003, has a mission to divert non-violent,
substance-abusing offenders to treatment and rehabilitation as an
alternative to incarceration.

There have been 71 graduates, with 97 percent of them not having been
re-convicted since graduation, and 43 people currently in the
program, Amimoto said.

Graduation comes only after compliance with program rules, successful
completion of substance-abuse treatment, employment, education goals
met, stable living situation, improved friends and family issues,
ability to identify life stressors and the ability to deal with these
issues in a healthy, productive way, Amimoto said.

Staff also includes Probation Officers Jack Viohl and Tori Ann
Laranio, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Araceli Gonzalez, and
Judicial Clerk Tammy Kakutani.

The Friends of the Kaua'i Drug Court was established in 2004, and
provides funds for projects and incentives for the clients and alumni groups.