DRUG COURT GEARED TO IMPROVE LIFESTYLES

The group gathered in a Downtown Centre courtroom is composed of the usual
players - a judge, prosecutors, defense attorneys and probation officers -
but it's not the usual courtroom scenario.

Judge Robert Lincoln, Patrick Denton, assistant public defender, Robin Ray
and Chris Ledford, assistant district attorneys general, and members of
Comprehensive Community Services are gathered around the courtroom table
normally used by prosecutors.

As they do each Thursday morning, sometimes with Lincoln, sometimes with
Judge John L. Kiener, the group of county and state officials discusses the
progress of individuals enrolled in "Drug Court."

The first 30 minutes of the gathering is more casual than formal, however
the focus of drug court is never lost, although there is often light-hearted
banter around the high-polished table. Individuals express concerns as well
as high hopes for many of the program's participants.

"To be honest, I'm worried about (one of the participants)." Lincoln says,
as a recent weekly discussion about the participants begins. "I guess we'll
just have to see if he's had a good week."

A handout provided to each official describes each participant's drug
preferences, such as amphetamines, alcohol or THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol)
the active ingredient in marijuana. The sheets also give a breakdown of each
participant's weekly progress, as far as employment and alcohol and drug
counseling.

Michael Moore, manager and chief probation officer with the Washington
County division of CCS, addresses Lincoln with one of his major concerns.

"Judge, one of my worries is some of these folks come in so concerned about
points they don't understand this is about an attitude and lifestyle change.
A lot of them are still wanting to dress like they really don't care."

Lincoln nodded positively and said, "While I appreciate your concerns, I
know you come from a military background, dress is a personal preference.
It's one of those things that is hard for us to say anything about ... I
don't like tongue piercings, especially when they stand at the podium
flipping them at me.

"But we can't judge individuals by their dress, their tattoos or their
piercings ... I've got clerks that wear jeans in court, and while I don't
think that's appropriate, they aren't my employees."

Moore said, "But a person gets one shot at a first impression, and some of
these folks come dragging in, looking like crap."

Again Lincoln nodded. "I guess we just don't understand the perspective from
the other side."

For people in the program, the judge, who has the option of either tossing
an individual into a jail cell or dealing with them less severely, is the
bottom line.

Or using Lincoln's description, "The hammer behind it all is the courts,
it's the only way to keep the sanctions in place."

Moore explained that individuals not in compliance with rules and/or
requirements of drug court, either lose points, have to do an additional
number of counseling meetings or sometimes additional jail time.

He said people with alcohol problems who meet the 52-week program's
qualifications can also be enrolled.

According to Moore, drug court is designed for individuals using drugs. "If
an individual is a drug dealer, they're not going to be in the program. They
need to go to the big house."

For more intensive treatment, Moore said CCS now has an adult in-patient
treatment center in Kingsport. The 28-day program can increase an
individual's chance of success in the drug court program.

"If we can get them into the in-patient treatment program before getting
them into drug court, there is a much better benefit (for the participants),
and the chances of successfully completing program are enhanced enormously."

While the drug court was originally implemented using federal funding,
matched by CCS, the program is now 100 percent funded by the organization.

"I've got a sign I made in my office," Moore said. " 'Being on probation was
your choice, you could have chosen jail. It's still available.' "