JUDGE: DRUG COURT RIGOROUS

LIVINGSTON - Drug court isn't a "slap on the wrist" - it's a sobering
experience, 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Kenneth Fogg told the
graduates at the Livingston Parish Courthouse Tuesday.

"Pardon the pun," he told the graduates who completed a 12-month program
that consists of three phases. "This is a rigorous program."

Phase one calls for the admitted addict to attend treatment daily, court
weekly and submit to two drug tests per week. During phase two, the addict
attends treatment weekly, attends court every two weeks, still undergoes
the drug tests and must also gain employment.

Phase three has the addict in court every three weeks, maintaining
employment, obtaining a GED and attending treatment weekly. All three
phases call for three Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
a week.

Drug court participants are offenders who have committed non-violent crimes
that must not mandate jail time if convicted, he said. They must also admit
to being an addict.

The Louisiana Drug Courts were established as an alternate to sentencing.

It saves the taxpayers' money, Fogg said, plus, it saves lives, families
and businesses.

"This injects a human element into the judicial system," he said.
"Self-professed losers enter and take a step to turn into winners. Those of
us who don't know the devastation of drugs may not understand."

Drug courts were started by former Attorney General Janet Reno in Miami in
1989, Fogg said. In 1997, Louisiana got it's first drug court, and there
are now 34 in the state.

"The drug court movement is alive and well in Livingston."

Clifford Rudison, a drug court participant, sat as the drug court graduates
received certificates and T-shirts that read "TEAMWORK." He clutched a
folder that contained all of the information pertaining to his treatment.
Although he isn't scheduled to graduate yet, he said he's ready.

His folder was decorated with slogans like, "God led us to AA and AA led us
back to God." He cheered and clapped as each graduate shook hands with
Fogg. He pointed out another slogan, "Locked up, covered up or sobered up."

"Really, I live by this one, 'Fake it until you make it,'" he said. "Just
keep trying, you'll do it."

He stopped to listen as graduate Tommy Tullis spoke to the crowded
courtroom of participants, graduates and family members.

"I stand before you a new man. Jesus Christ did for me what I couldn't do
for myself. This court is a tool." Tullis said of his addiction to
prescription painkillers.

"I sat next to skid row bums and Harvard graduates (at meetings). I've
healed my relationship with my son and my wife. If somebody tells you to
throw a drug addict in jail, think of me," he said to 21st Judicial
District judges Zoey Waguespack, Chief Justice Robert Morrison and Brenda
Ricks and Bill Hunter, president of the Louisiana Association of Drug
Courts. "I am probably the most blessed man here."

Graduate Lorenzo Carter sat in the front row with his wife and their five
children.

"I just want to thank God for another chance," he said receiving his
certificate as his family stood by his side.

Fogg looked at the graduates and applauded them again on their accomplishments.

"This journey has only begun. You now have the tools to combat a problem
that will never go away. Live life moment to moment," he advised. "The
serpent is in the garden ready to strike. I wish you well on your journey."