DRUG COURT CLASSMATES BACK AT SQUARE ONE

HAMPTON -- Most members of Hampton's first drug court class - who were
jailed a week ago because of missed meetings, failed drug tests and forged
notes - won't graduate on schedule.

The drug court participants were released Tuesday, a day after Circuit Court
Judge Christopher Hutton decided to punish most of the 17 classmates who
appeared before him in court. Hutton said they'd have to start a phase of
the jail alternative treatment program all over again.

For many, that will mean spending an additional three to 10 weeks in the
program depending on when they entered drug court, said Natale Ward, the
program's administrator.

Drug court, which has been operating in Newport News since 1998, is aimed at
helping nonviolent substance abusers by offering them treatment and support
services as long as they stay clean of drugs and alcohol, maintain a job and
attend daily treatment programs and meetings.

Drug court staff members received a report recently that members were
forging notes used to document their attendance at support group meetings,
Ward said. This, combined with other infractions, was what led staff members
to send the class to jail in an effort to make a point.

"The benefits of the program are contingent on honesty and following the
rules," Hutton told one woman Monday.

"Do you understand that? Are you going to stay in the program?" Hutton said.

"Yes sir," the woman said. "The program has been a big help in my life."

Most members of drug court have been repeatedly convicted for crimes that
are related to substance abuse. Drug court is considered a last-ditch effort
to help them.

A couple of participants, who were newer members of the drug court class,
won't be required to spend additional time in the program before graduating,
but they were cautioned about the rules.

Another man didn't fare so well and was sent back to jail. He was carrying a
pocketknife when he was arrested and Hutton told him his status in the
program would be decided within seven days.

"I don't see any commitment from you that indicates that you'll be
successful in this program," Hutton said.

The program's members are on probation for drug and alcohol convictions and
face the possibility of a prison sentence if they fail to follow the
programs' requirements. Hampton's program, which takes between 18 and 24
months to complete, got under way last summer.

After court Monday, Ward said she wasn't sure whether lessons had been
learned.

"They always say the right things," she said. "Time will be the judge."