3 GRADUATE DRUG COURT PROGRAM ON ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY

Some people think that Drug Court is an easy alternative to jail. Those
people just aren't familiar with Drug Court, says Superior Court Judge Jack
Partain.

"It's one of the most difficult things a person can do," said Partain, who
presides over weekly sessions of the Conasauga Drug Court Program.

The program is open to first-time, nonviolent drug offenders with no
history of trafficking or manufacturing drugs.

Those who complete the program, which lasts a minimum of two years, have
their offenses wiped and emerge with no criminal record from their arrests.

The program is available to residents of Whitfield and Murray counties.

The program celebrated its second anniversary Thursday and graduated its
first three participants.

"Each day of my life is a little better thanks to this program," said
Roger, one of the graduates.

Those who choose to participate agree to supervised probation, community
service, random drug testing, group therapy and counseling, verifiable
participation in a 12-step program and weekly sessions with Partain.

Five participants in the program have completed their general equivalency
diplomas, and 14 are working toward their GEDs.

There are currently 57 people in the program.

Those who fail to comply with the program's requirements face sanctions,
including jail time.

Dave Thompson, treatment program manager for the Drug Court, says graduates
have completed an average of 360 hours of therapy, attended an average of
330 Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, had more than 100
drug tests and had an average of 24 relapse prevention sessions.

Thompson recalled what one participant told him about joining the program.

"I could do the jail time, but I'd be the same person when I got out, and I
don't want to do that," Thompson said the man told him.

Participants agreed the program has helped change their lives.

"My problem wasn't just drugs. I needed to change the way I live," said
Tiffany, who is still in the program.

Drug Court coordinator George Shirilla says the program tries to give
participants the skills to avoid drug use and the ability to anticipate the
long-range consequences of their actions.

Shirilla says that Drug Court is a community effort that involves the
courts, law enforcement, probation officials, drug and alcohol treatment
centers, and employers.

Ninety-six percent of the participants in the program are employed.

"An addict or an alcoholic in recovery benefits us all," Shirilla said.

Thompson said that most of the participants in the program were involved in
some way with methamphetamine.