DRUG COURT TURNS WOMAN'S LIFE AROUND

A defining moment came in the lives of seven people last week as the
Eighth Judicial District Drug Court, the first certified in the
state, graduated its first class.

In addition to the seven, 16 others moved up to Phase III and seven
to Phase IV of the program which includes 125 people.

One of those moving up to Phase IV told a packed crowd in the Leake
County courthouse that the program had saved her life.

"This drug court has saved my life, it has changed my life around,"
said Neshoba County native Janice Norris.

She described herself as living proof that God could change a life.

"I want to thank Judge [Vernon] Cotten, and all his drug court staff
here, because if it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't be standing
here today, I'd probably be dead," Norris said.

Guest speaker during the ceremony was Mississippi Supreme Court Chief
Justice Jim Smith, who was there to not only congratulate the
graduates and drug court participants, but to challenge them.

Smith said they were completing the first important step in being
successful in life. He urged them to make sure to have visions and
set goals, and to do whatever they do in life with enthusiasm.

"I'm going to tell you why drug courts work. I'm a doubter, I'm an ex
DA, I come from that side of the law, so I doubted the success of
this type of program, initially, but I can stand in front of you
today, as a Chief Justice representing all 82 counties and tell you
not a single drug court in Mississippi has failed, not one," Smith said.

"This is the one bright shining star, and absolutely has proven its
worth and value. I'm also going to tell you why it works; it works
because of the dedication and the commitment of the people who run the system."

Smith pointed out the drug court was not something imposed upon Judge
Cotten. It's not part of his normal duties as no judge is required to
run this type of court, he said.

He's not getting paid any extra for doing this, he said.

Judge Cotten addressed the crowd as well.

"These folks have done everything required by us to be where they
are, and it is no small thing that they have attained this goal,
given the fact that illegal drugs in a person's body is a rage, it
rules their lives. This is going to revolutionize their lives as to
where they were three or four years ago."

Cotten added it was a high water mark, and a celebration in the life
of these people.

He emphasized the mission statement of the drug court which serves to
"enhance public safety by providing a judicially supervised treatment
program" with a goal of "returning substance-free, law abiding
citizens to the community and their families."

Cotten said the drug court was started on his order "specifically
because of my concern over a failed judicial system. I saw the same
individuals and their families back before my bench, time after time."

He said the current system was failing them as well as society.

As proof to the success of the drug court working, Cotten said these
participants are now clean and sober, productive citizens.

"We have succeeded and with God's grace, we will continue to succeed," he said.

The five-year drug court program requires accountability from the
offender in that he or she must pay all assessed fines and fees
including rehabilitation costs, remain drug and alcohol free,
maintain employment and support their families.

Additionally, participants undergo a month-long in-patient
rehabilitation program, followed by weekly meetings with Judge
Cotten, weekly rehabilitation after-care meetings and at least two
weekly Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Drug Court participants are placed into a non-adjudicated status,
which means that failure to meet requirements of the program will
result in adjudication on their guilty plea and subsequent incarceration.

Participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling, sanctions,
incentives, and frequent court appearances.

Successful completion of the treatment program results in dismissal
of the charges, reduced or set aside sentences, lesser penalties, or
a combination of these. Most importantly, graduating participants
gain the necessary tools to rebuild their lives.

If they complete a program of good behavior for five years, their
records may be wiped clean.

Offenders charged with the sale of illicit drugs do not qualify for
the program. An offender must also have approval from law enforcement
and the district attorney before being accepted.