DWI/DRUG COURT HELPS RE-OFFENDERS GET TREATMENT

Program Requires Intensive Counseling And Treatment
Instead Of Long Probation Terms

The Williamson County DWI/Drug Court is run more like an Alcoholics
Anonymous meeting than a courtroom.

Offenders approach the judge as in a normal court proceeding, but
instead of charges, a progress report is read.

The judge offers words of encouragement or disappointment.

"You've done very well this past week; have a piece of candy," Judge
Tim Wright told one offender last week.

The man, who was in the court program because of a second Driving
While Intoxicated offense, grabbed a piece of candy and almost skipped
back to his seat.

"You'd be surprised at how embarrassed people get when they don't get
a piece of candy," said Sabrina Bently, the court officer. "But the
best part of the court is just to see their attitudes change when they
know they are doing well."

The court began in November and is designed to help repeat drug or DWI
offenders get intensive treatment instead of jail time or long
probation terms. Instead of the two years of probation that
accompanies a second DWI conviction, the court program is a year long.

But not just anyone can get in, Wright said. The offender must go
through a screening process to determine the person's need.

"For many of these people, sticking them in jail is not the answer
because they are just going to reoffend," said Wright, who has been a
recovering alcoholic for the past 18 years. "Many of them need
rehabilitation, and this program's intensity has the potential to do
that."

The program is modeled after one in Fort Bend County, southwest of
Houston, that has three phases: intensive counseling, support groups
and court appearances. There are 28 offenders involved in the
Williamson County court.

In the first phase, which is eight weeks long, offenders are required
to go to court once a week, when their progress is evaluated. There is
intensive outpatient treatment three times a week, a weekly meeting
with a probation officer, a weekly meeting with a drug or alcohol
sponsor, random drug testing, support meetings twice a week and a 10
p.m. curfew.

If they are doing well, their success is announced in
court.

However, if offenders relapse or miss a meeting, they could face
penalties such as retaking a class or spending a week in jail. In
extreme cases, the person is removed from the program, but Wright said
he understands that offenders might need a little leniency because the
program is intense and time-consuming.

Maurice, a 50-year-old who didn't want his last name published, began
the program in February after being arrested twice for DWI.

"Once I got in there and saw the judge and heard what he had to say, I
realized that the program was more about turning out sober people than
punishment," he said.

The second phase lasts about three months, with two court appearances
a month, cognitive education to help offenders deal with day-to-day
problems, two monthly drug or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, random
drug testing and an 11 p.m. curfew.

For those who have been convicted of two DWIs, an ignition interlock
device is required to be on their car, which must be breathed into
before the car will start. If an offender has been drinking and
breathes into the device, authorities are notified instantly.

The final phase consists of a relapse prevention program, support
meetings four times a week, a victim impact program, community service
and no curfew.

Only two people have been removed from the program.

David Price, 35, has been in the program for three months and is
pleased with his progress.

"I think it helps that everyone in the program is so positive and just
that Judge Wright knows what it is to be an alcoholic helps us trust
him. I don't think this court would work if he wasn't who he is," said
Price, who has two DWI convictions. "This is a big in-depth look at
yourself and your problems."

The program can treat about 45 people, but that's a small percentage
of the hundreds of alcohol and drug convictions in the county every
year.

In 2006, the county had 1,200 first DWI convictions and 280 repeat
convictions. Numbers of drug convictions weren't immediately available
last week.

When County Judge Don Higginbotham sees repeat offenders in his court,
he refers them to the DWI/drug court.

"There are so many cases and only a few courts, but anything helps,"
Higginbotham said. "But I think it is a very good program, and the
sociological aspects make more of an impact than trying to crunch
(case) numbers."