TWO COMPLETE YATES' FIRST DRUG COURT

PENN YAN - By his fifth DWI charge, Gene White was tired of getting in
trouble because of his drinking.

He had let his family and friends down and lost their trust, was
embarrassed to show his face at work and had begun to isolate himself,
feeling depressed and ashamed.

"A year ago, I was ready to give up," White said, adding that he had a
record "a mile long" because of his drinking.

Instead, he decided he was ready for a change. So, he entered the
year-old Yates County Drug Treatment Court system.

"If it wasn't for drug court, I'd either be in prison or dead," White
said yesterday during the program's first graduation ceremony. "It
showed me my life's worth something ... and it taught me to believe in
myself."

The drug treatment court brings a new, collaborative approach to
changing the way the criminal justice system handles those addicted to
drugs and alcohol. Its mission is to establish and maintain a
cooperative effort by the criminal justice system, treatment
rehabilitation providers and the community to reduce crime and alcohol
and drug dependency while ensuring public safety.

Low-level, non-violent offenders can choose treatment over prison or
jail time. There are more than 100 drug treatment courts throughout
the state, including in Ontario, Seneca and Wayne counties.

"There's no sure fix [to substance abuse]," said Yates County Judge W.
Patrick Falvey. "But this is another tool in the battle to fight addiction."

There are 17 participants in the Yates County Drug Treatment Court,
including the program's first two graduates who were honored yesterday
- - White and Malinda McCloud.

"I know it's not easy for you to do this ... and that's why we're so
proud of you," said the Hon. Joseph Traficaniti Jr., deputy chief
administrative judge outside of New York City, and director of drug
court treatment programs. "You have made a choice - looked at yourself
in the mirror and said the time has come."

Participants sign a contract committing to see themselves through to
completion. Those who are eligible also can pursue high school
diplomas or receive job training and even job placement.

Graduation comes after 12 to 30 consecutive drug free months. Failure
to complete the program may result in sanctions, which can include
writing essays, possible termination from the program, community
service and jail time.

The concept was a grassroots effort started in Dade County, Fla., in
1989.

In the initial stages, participants see the drug treatment court judge
weekly. The judge monitors participants sobriety through intensive
random drug testing, as often as three times a week or more at first.

"Dirty" tests bring immediate sanctions, which vary in severity.
Participants then have to start the program again.

Before drug court, a familiar cycle often developed: a defendant would
be placed on probation or sent to jail, but when they inevitably got
out, would commit more crime and come back through the system's
revolving door.

"We were pretty stupid to think the result would be different," said
Yates County District Attorney Susan Lindenmuth, who touted the
success of drug treatment courts, as well as noted the financial
savings in jail time and human services.

Lindenmuth was among the guests at yesterday's ceremony. Others
included the Hon. Thomas Van Strydonck, 7th judicial district
administrative judge; Yates County Drug Treatment Court coordinator
Evelyn Watkins; area law enforcement personnel, including Yates County
Sheriff Ron Spike and Penn Yan Village Police Chief Steve Hill; county
officials, legislators and employees.

"If we can break that cycle [of addiction], we can eliminate that
revolving door," Traficaniti said. "... in the last 50 years, [drug
treatment court] is the most significant legal reform in the judicial
system in this country."

Even initial skeptics of the program have been won
over.

"I questioned whether or not we should participate.... I had doubts
about whether it would be effective," said Public Defender Ed Brockman.

After looking at other programs' successes and receiving training, he
has changed his mind.

"In retrospect, I'm extremely happy that we did it," Brockman
said.

McCloud, who acknowledged she had a drinking problem, said at first,
she didn't think she'd get anything out of the meetings. Now, her life
has changed dramatically, and she says she's healthier than she's ever
been.

She said she decided to make a change over a year ago, when her two
young children witnessed her arrest.

"That was it for me," said McCloud, adding that the support of her
family and others have helped her get through.

At yesterday's event, both graduates received a certificate and a
large key symbolizing their success. They also will receive copies of
the proceedings' transcript.