DRUG ADDICTS GET CHANCE TO TURN LIFE AROUND

Court Program Offers Rehab For First Offenders

GULFPORT - Scott, a 34-year-old Waveland resident, said his life has
done "a 180" since September.

Five months ago, he had a $300-a-day cocaine habit and had little
contact with his children. Now, after undergoing intensive outpatient
treatment at Gulf Coast Mental Health Center, Scott is drug-free and
gets his children four nights a week.

He credits his new life to Harrison County's drug court.

While Scott said drug court has been successful for him, Circuit Judge
Robert Walker, one of two judges who preside over drug court, said
part of its success is because the Circuit Clerk's Office and District
Attorney's Office support the program.

Both offices have contributed thousands of dollars to the program,
which began Aug. 1.

"We've had incredible cooperation with elected officials and
agencies," Walker said. "Everyone wants it to work because it does
make a difference in people's lives."

The program is offered in Harrison, Hancock and Stone counties, the
three counties in which Walker and Judge Steve Simpson serve. Harrison
County contributed $45,000 to the program, while Hancock contributed
$15,000 and Stone $3,000.

Simpson, who usually sees about 100 drug offenders come through his
courtroom each month, said it's frustrating to see true addicts not
receiving treatment.

The program is open to first-time offenders. Participants are closely
supervised and undergo drug testing twice a week. They receive drug
treatment and are required to pay $50 a month in fees.

Those who sell, transfer, manufacture or distribute drugs do not
qualify for the program.

Each judge oversees eight participants and meets with them once a
week. Assistant District Attorneys Sean Tindell and Chris Fisher
handle the cases referred to drug court. Coordinator Jay Holtorf
screens candidates and works with the court, DA's office and the three
sheriff's departments.

Other agencies also have showed their support, Simpson and Walker
said.

The court turned a storage room in the Civil Defense department into a
drug crime lab. The state Department of Corrections pays the salary of
the court's probation officer and Harrison County Sheriff George Payne
provides a car for the officer.

The court receives candidate referrals from the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics, Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team and Caranna's office.
Tindell and Fisher said they recently recruited help from police
officers, who often know which suspects have drug problems.

Each judge usually meets with his participants in a conference room at
the newly-renovated drug court office. But in a recent meeting, Walker
and his group met in the courtroom, where he joined participants at a
table. The relaxed atmosphere, complete with the judge in
shirtsleeves, is deceiving. Drug court is tough.

Chris, 34, said he thought drug court would be easy and would allow
him to beat the system. He was arrested for writing bad checks and
used the money to buy cocaine.

"Every aspect of my life changed," Chris said. "It hasn't been
easy."

Brandon, a 19-year-old from Biloxi who scored a 32 on his ACT, lost an
academic scholarship and nearly destroyed his relationship with his
family before he realized he needed help. He said his abuse of ecstasy
and methamphetamines ended when he was arrested in September.

"I didn't think I could live without drugs," Brandon
said.

"It's a worthwhile program," said Harrison County Circuit Clerk Gayle
Parker. "We need to do something."

Assistant District Attorney Charlie Wood agrees.

"For years we've prosecuted people for possession, sale and
manufacturing drugs. We send them to the penitentiary and get them off
the street for a while. It doesn't cure the problem," Wood said.
"There's a certain segment that are addicts. If we catch them in the
early stages and get them off drugs, then that's a benefit for all of
us."