CLEAN AND SOBER

Drug Court Graduates Kicking Bad Habits

About 250 people attended a drug court graduation ceremony Monday at the
Southwest Mississippi Community College student union.

Eight people graduated from drug court, five of whom had their records
cleared, while 50 others moved to higher levels within the system.

"There's no more rewarding aspect of judging than this," said Circuit Court
Judge Mike Taylor, who took over the program after its founder, Keith
Starrett, was appointed a federal judge.

"Drug court is not about forgiveness. We're judges; we can't forgive
anyone," Taylor said. "It's about redemption."

Drug court is restricted to non-violent offenders whose crimes involve
alcohol or drugs. It requires participants to hold down jobs, pay fines and
fees, undergo random drug tests and meet once weekly.

Keynote speaker was former District Attorney Dunn Lampton, now U.S.
Attorney for the state's southern district.

"It's so much more encouraging and meaningful for me to sign a stack of
graduation certificates than indictments," Lampton said.

Noting that Starrett started the state's first felony drug court in 1999,
Lampton said 11 of the state's 22 judicial districts now have one. The 14th
judicial district includes Pike, Walthall and Lincoln counties.

"It's more than just saving dollars. It's saving lives," Lampton said.

Drug court is funded mainly by the state. Among other sources is Brookhaven
Exchange Club, which considers it a worthy project, Taylor said.

Fines, restitution and fees also help pay for it - nearly $100,000 just
this year. Drug court saves taxpayers money because Mississippi spends
"half a million dollars a year for the poorest state in the nation" in
incarceration costs, Judge Taylor said.

Drug court officer DeBorah Garfield led two children of drug court
participants in a dance, while another child sang "Amazing Grace."

County court judge John Price, who leads a special drug court for DUI
offenders, invited drug court participants and their family members to say
how the program has affected them.

"I feel like I've got my daughter back," said one woman. "She's got a
second chance at a healthy life, a life productive in the community ..

"I've seen her go back to college. She's making A's and B's in school.
She's healthy. She's gained back her self-confidence and self-esteem."

"It gave my life back," said a male participant. "I was hard-headed at
first, but they bore with me and turned my life around."