DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS HONORED

Mexico, Mo. - In observance of the 20th anniversary of drug courts
nationwide, local drug court professionals took time recently to
honor a few of their own for having the "foresight and vision" to
bring the program to Audrain County - as two more graduates
celebrated their sobriety.

In addition to Commissioner Carla Tanzey, speakers for the 12th
Judicial Circuit Drug Court graduation ceremony included Associate
Judge David Ash of the 45th Judicial Circuit; Judge Wesley C. Dalton;
Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Michael S. Wright, Drug Court
Administrator Christie Becker-Markovich; and Audrain Prosecutor Jacob
Shellabarger.

The two men of the hour were Presiding Judge Keith Sutherland - who
advocated for Audrain's drug court program - and former Audrain
County prosecutor Jason Lamb, who was the "moving force" in making
the program successful.

Warren County prosecutor Michael S. Wright presented Sutherland with
a special appreciation award, and Sutherland in turn presented Lamb
with a framed certificate of appreciation.

"The vision for Audrain County Drug Court started 10 years ago with
the vision of one man," Wright told the crowd as he applauded
Sutherland's perseverance. "When he first started telling me about
drug court I told him I wasn't sure that I was in favor of it,
because not many prosecuting attorneys like hearing talk about
dismissing charges.

"And, he told me 'I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm telling you
what we're going to do.'"

And that he did. Since its 1999 inception, Audrain Drug Court has
graduated eight candidates - the two most recent being Ethan Luce and
Kara Crabtree, both of Mexico. Thursday night the two were
acknowledged for their accomplishments.

"Kara and Ethan I am thrilled with both of you ... and hope you both
have productive and healthy lives," Sutherland said. Others
commending the duo sang the same sentiments, and further noted their
success would not have been possible were it not for the drug court program.

As of January 2008, there were 108 operational programs in Missouri.
Of those, 75 are adult programs, 19 are juvenile programs, and 14 are
family programs.

The goal of the program is to break the cycle of substance abuse,
addiction, crime, delinquency and child maltreatment through a blend
of justice, treatment and social service systems. While in the
program, drug court participants undergo an intensive regimen of
substance abuse treatment, case management, drug testing, supervision
and monitoring, and immediate sanctions and incentives while
reporting regularly before a judge with expertise in the drug court model.

But do the programs really work? Studies reflect drug courts lower
the recidivism rate of offenders when compared to either
incarceration or probation. Commissioner Tanzey took it one step
further, stating that Luce and Crabtree are "living proof it works."

"You two have had some mountains to climb that were very difficult.
But you did it," Tanzey said. "And the fact that this group of
participants are slightly shy of making three months with everyone
showing up when they're supposed to, also shows that the program works."

As Luce and Crabtree prepared for the traditional crossing over
ritual, where they burn copies of the charges against them, both
elected to have members of their families speak in their behalf.

Greg Luce said this about his first-born son: "We are so very proud
of you Ethan. You started this program two years ago, and have since
molded yourself into a responsible, healthy, wonderful young person,
dedicated to recovery.

"Your challenge is to keep working, learning and living a clean and
sober life."

Struggling with a flood of emotions, Erika Crabtree said this about her sister:

"You're my baby sister, and I love you. Since the beginning of the
program, you've shown that you are stronger than you know. When it
got tough, you didn't give up, or walk away. You chose to accept
responsibility for your actions, and to do everything you could to
turn your life around.

"Don't let anyone bring you down. Continue to set your goals high."

Both Luce and Crabtree have chosen to further their education.

Words of advice were shared throughout the program. Hoever, those
offered by Lamb and the honorable David Ash were likely the most powerful.

"You two are role models now. You have the tools and a clear way so
you can see the path. It's up to you to take your place in your
community," Lamb said.

Adding to that, Ash said, "Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lot of experience comes from poor judgment.

"So live wisely and good luck ... because addiction is a struggle."