GRADUATES OF COUNTY DRUG PROGRAM DESERVE PRAISE

I understand that there are some who believe incarceration is the
answer to solving our country's growing substance abuse problem, and I
respect that opinion. However, I do not believe incarceration is the
only answer. For certain nonviolent offenders, treatment may be the
key to ending drug use and the criminal activity that follows. Drug
courts across the country have shown an exceptionally high success
rate for treating those addicted and breaking the cycle of drugs and
crime. I believe if we can help these offenders overcome their
dependence on drugs by integrating drug treatment with strict and
intensive judicial monitoring, we can reduce the crimes associated
with addiction, and, ultimately, benefit the community as a whole.

St. Johns County has been fortunate to have an adult drug court
program in our community for nearly four years thanks to the vision of
individuals like Audrey Fields and St. Johns County Commission
Chairman Jim E. Bryant. Initially funded by the federal Office of
Justice Programs, the St. Johns County Adult Drug Court program is one
of more than 1,750 drug court programs nationwide and one of five in
the Seventh Judicial Circuit -- which serves St. Johns, Putnam,
Flagler and Volusia counties.

Nonviolent offenders who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have a
willingness to change, are given an incredible opportunity to start
their lives over through Drug Court. The change begins with a complete
and total commitment to the program. As a former prosecutor, I can
honestly say that drug court is not the "easy way out." Participants
enter the program as a condition of drug offender probation and are
held accountable weekly for their actions. They learn quickly that
their actions have consequences. Those who fail to follow the rules
face sanctions, including incarceration in the county jail and
possible termination followed by prison if they do not hold up their
end of the bargain.

Those who play by the rules discover just how rewarding a drug-free
lifestyle can be. They may also be eligible for early termination of
their probation.

The life changes that take place during and after the drug court
program vary by participant. Graduation may mean regaining custody of
a child, obtaining steady employment, earning a high school diploma or
college degree, mending broken relationships and regaining trust from
friends and family. As productive members of our community, graduates
are also less likely to have future run-ins with the law.

As you might imagine, it takes collaboration and cooperation from many
entities to make drug court work. I appreciate the incredible
commitment and support that drug court has received from Governor Jeb
Bush and the Florida Office of Drug Control.

In St. Johns County, the court is proud to partner with State Attorney
John Tanner, Public Defender Jim Purdy, Sheriff David B. Shoar, the
St. Augustine Police Department, the Department of Corrections, Clerk
of Court Cheryl Strickland, the St. Johns County Detention Center,
Epic Community Services, St. Johns County Mental Health Services,
Gateway Community Services and the Salvation Army in our adult drug
court program.

We also rely on and are grateful for the support of citizens in the
community who give our graduates and participants a second chance
through employment and educational opportunities. Your help is
critical to sending these participants down the right path -- the path
to a sober and productive life.

May has been designated national drug court month. Please join me in
congratulating the graduates of the St. Johns County Adult Drug Court
program on their future contributions to our community.

Judge Wendy W. Berger

St. Augustine

Circuit Judge Wendy W. Berger currently presides over the St. Johns
County Adult Drug Court program. Appointed to the bench in 2005, Judge
Berger was an assistant general counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush and an
assistant state attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.