Eleventh Of Ongoing Series

ALMOST A CLEAN SLATE: ONLY ONE FAILS DRUG TEST

Joe Is Ready To Buy Into Phase Two After Meeting Drug Court Requirements
For Six Weeks

Note: The following article is the 11th in a series regarding the creation
of the Fifth Judicial District Drug Court Program recently implemented in
Pahrump. Because drug court is designed to treat addiction rather than
prosecute users as is done in criminal courts, the identities of
participants will be altered for purposes of confidentiality; their
photographs will not be printed.

Joe can buy his way into phase two of drug court, but that isn't to suggest
anyone has been bribed. The formerly homeless man has passed six weeks
worth of drug tests; he's made his meetings - oftentimes riding a borrowed
bicycle in the heat of the day to do so - and has complied with every other
condition since entering the program. He's behind in his $20 per week fee
assessed every participant, however, and he must get caught up before he
can advance.

That shouldn't be a problem since the man has found employment in town. Joe
is working the graveyard shift, and he said it has been difficult getting
sleep. "But I can deal with it," he told Fifth District Judge Robert Lane.

The judge advised Joe he was ready to join Fred as the second member to
advance into the second phase of the three-part program as soon as he pays
up his arrears. "I've got to remember to order another book," said Lane,
who gave Fred an "inspirational" tome last week.

And last week was a good seven days for drug court; all 11 participants
fulfilled their obligations. This week was almost as good - only one
participant failed her drug tests, and because she was honest about her
relapse, Lane did not jail her but he did hang three nights behind bars
over her head if she fails to meet her obligations by Monday.

"Not so good," Amy said to Lane when asked how her drug tests went. Amy has
apparently spoken with the drug court team regarding an incident that
occurred two weeks ago that involved one of her children. She has four who
are either in the custody of family members or state officials. Details
were not discussed, but Amy said, "I thought I could deal with it, but I
couldn't.

"My kids mean a lot to me, and I know (by) doing drugs it doesn't seem like
it. She thinks I abandoned her and I couldn't deal with that."

"Let me understand," said Lane. "You missed your kids and couldn't deal
with missing them so you did drugs?"

"I took a couple hits of weed," said Amy. "But then I totally got spun (on
methamphetamine). I was at Mach 90 and going so fast I couldn't think
straight."

On a positive note, Amy said she has met a "longtime" recovering addict in
one of her 12-step meetings she attends on a weekly basis, and intends to
ask the woman to be her sponsor. Lane seemed encouraged by this bit of
news, but not necessarily convinced. "How do we help you change?" asked Lane.

Amy said she "gets bored," and doesn't know what to do with her time. She
is currently caring for the children of a local single father, and said the
job is "going well."

"Who do you get your drugs from," Lane asked, prefacing the question by
acknowledging he didn't expect the woman to name names. "S---heads on the
street," she said. "People who don't care. People who are looking to make a
buck."

Putting the ball back in her court, so to speak, Lane asked: "What do we
need to do to get you to stop using?"

That was a question Deputy District Attorney and drug court teammate Pete
Knight answered for Amy. "It appears to me she gets bored, uses that stuff,
can't think straight, can't get her kids back if she can't think straight.
It's obvious what she needs is to get a real job so she won't get bored."

"So I need to help her get a job and boost her self-esteem," concluded
Lane. Perhaps sensing a positive change developing in Amy, Lane did not
sanction the young woman with jail time. She's going to have to buck up
this week, however, or next week Amy is headed for detention.

In addition to testing clean and making her counseling sessions and 12-step
meetings, Amy must return on Monday with a valid Nevada identification card
and proof she looked for employment.

John continues to shine brightly after a dismal start in drug court. The
man for the third straight week passed his drug tests, attended the
mandatory meetings, and completed community service hours at the Cancer
Thrift Store.

John was late in submitting one of the two random urine drops participants
must undergo each week. Lane cautioned the man he must make the drop as
soon as he is advised to do so by the officers with the Division of Parole
and Probation. "If you have to do a UA you have to do it immediately," Lane
said. "We have to worry that people are doing things (to adulterate their
urine)."

"Especially people like me," John said, a comment that sparked laughter in
the courtroom.

As much as John has shown commitment to quit meth, so has Greg, who
admitted to having "a few drinks" last week, perhaps in celebration of his
marriage to Cathy, drug court's lone volunteer participant.

Greg met his conditions and was advised by Lane he is "close" to advancing
into phase 2 of the program. Lane reminded Greg and other participants that
alcohol consumption is prohibited. The reasoning behind the ban, he said,
is because a person trying to beat drug addiction could replace the problem
with alcohol abuse.

Greg indicated he understood and would not drink again. Cathy, meanwhile,
has finally been assigned a counselor after the drug court team addressed
legal questions regarding her volunteer status. She was ordered to meet
with Pam Laub beginning this week, a minimum of three sessions per week.
Laub's certification as a drug counselor came through last week after a
mix-up occurred at the state level.

The drug court team has been happily stunned by the effort put out by
Dennis. Since having a dismal first week three weeks ago, Dennis has passed
his last four drug tests and has attended the mandatory counseling sessions
and 12-step meetings.

"What do you get out of the meetings," Lane asked the former honors
graduate from the prison boot camp program. The answer was articulate and
heartfelt.

"Knowledge that helps me stay clean, sir," he said. "There are several
people there, people I haven't associated with. I normally associate with
people from the other side of the street."

"We're pleasantly surprised with you," said Lane, who then injected a bit
of his own humor into the proceedings. "Call me if you need to talk, if I'm
free I'll speak with you ... I say that to everyone because I'm never free."

Fellow boot camp graduate Paul continues to shine. He has tested negative,
made his meetings, and has found work. The only problem was job related. "I
need to get a note from parole and probation so they know I'm not jerking
them around." Paul was speaking of his mandatory urine drops that must be
submitted twice a week, in the morning hours.

""That's perfect," Lane responded to Paul's dilemma. "That's just the kind
of relationship we want with employers."

Hollywood pretty and self assured; Joan made comments that indicate she
hasn't come as far as some of her peers in the program have. Of course,
she's new and the drug court team understands she's exactly where she's
supposed to be.

Joan passed her drug tests, and said she "got a little bit" out of her
12-step meetings. In an effort to help her get her life organized, Lane
ordered Joan to return to court Monday with a Nevada identification card
and proof that she is looking for work.

Theresa began drug court two weeks ago along with Joan. They are the latest
two participants chosen for the treatment program. Theresa had a good week
with the exception of missing one of her urine drops. Lane advised the
woman a missed test is considered a positive test. "We have to assume that
because we know you," he said to Theresa and her peers in the program.

And while Monday's court session was a bit of a letdown after the euphoria
of the previous week, Lane congratulated the 10 participants. "Everybody,
you're doing great," he said.