20 GRADUATE FROM DRUG COURT PROGRAM

TUSCALOOSA - Facing 15 years in state prison on a felony drug charge, Greg
Travis knew he had to change his ways - for good.

A big step in that direction was his participation in the drug court
program of Tuscaloosa County Community Corrections, which he completed with
19 other graduates Wednesday.

"It took one year, one month and 19 days," he said. "It's been a hard
struggle. But I knew I had to do whatever I had to do to stay out of prison."

Judges refer people with drug-related charges to the court.

Travis said the toughest part of the program was to surrender his old way
of life and let others take over. Participants meet with caseworkers and
treatment specialists for three hours four nights during the week and on
Saturdays when they begin the program. As they progress in the program,
they eventually will attend only one meeting a week.

Travis was assigned a color when he entered the program. Every night after
9 p.m., participants call a recording to hear what the next day's color
will be. Everyone assigned that color must appear the next day for a urine
test.

Some people don't make it through the program and end up serving the time
for the charges that landed them in drug court. Others slip up once or
twice but make it through. Among other requirements, all graduates have to
have been sober for at least six months.

Travis, who never relapsed, said he will remain drug-free but admits he
will need support. He will continue to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings,
he said.

"If I don't keep going, I'll be right back where I started. I'm going to
try so hard to stay clean. With the help of the Lord I will," he said.

Community Corrections director Dan Boisot estimated that about 60 percent
of drug court participants graduate and stop using drugs completely.

"Generally these programs significantly reduce repeat offenses," he said.

About 95 percent of people who do not receive treatment will commit a
drug-related crime again, he said.

After graduating from drug court, cases against the participants are
dismissed, and the charges removed from their criminal records.

Judge Philip Lisenby volunteered to work with the program. He holds court
every Wednesday to review participants' cases and takes action if someone
is not meeting requirements.

Besides staying sober, participants are required to hold a job, perform
community service and, if applicable, pay restitution and court costs
related to their cases. If they are not high school graduates, participants
are required to work toward a GED, Lisenby said.

"It's a tough program," he said. "There are some people in this group [of
graduates] that I had locked up - some more than once. It's pretty touching
to see them graduate; this is the good part."