SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON 1ST GRADUATE OF DRUG COURT

Half of Dorothy Fryerson's life had vanished when illegal drug use served
as the center of her existence. Now at the age of 50, having just
celebrated her birthday earlier this past week, the Hopkinsville resident
has a new high.

"I've got a new way of thinking now. I have a smile today," Fryerson
proudly said. "I'm high. Not on drugs, but on life."

Fryerson became the first graduate of the Christian County Drug Court
earlier this week, having completed 58 weeks of intense treatment sessions.

A ceremony on Wednesday was held for her before Drug Court cases were heard
in Christian Circuit Court, with Judge Edwin M. White presiding. Fryerson
received a plaque, in addition to other gifts from court officials for her
accomplishment.

Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Boling, for instance, presented the new
graduate with a $20 bill.

"I know now that money will be used for you, not for drug addiction," he said.

Drug Court is a court-managed, drug intervention treatment program designed
to provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional criminal case
processing.

"It's not the money we see, it's the lives we see affected by this
program," White said.

Nationally, drug courts have resulted in high success rates, court
officials said. The effort was launched locally early last year, shortly
after Fryerson was arrested in late 2000 for possession of drug paraphernalia.

"I was the type of addict who would take anything to get high," Fryerson said.

As soon as Fryerson learned of the opportunity, she started work to plot a
new direction in her life.

"I first prayed to God that I could get in this program. I knew I just
didn't want it (drugs) anymore," she explained. "I finally woke up."

For a defendant to participate in Drug Court, charges must be related to
drug possession -- no drug trafficking or any other felonies.

Defendants in the program see several authorities each week -- including
the judge, case manager and probation officer.

The constant contact between the drug user and the court is the underlying
element for drug-free achievement.

"A lot of these people don't have structure in their lives," said Al
Meredith, a local parole officer who helps to oversee Drug Court
defendants. "The first thing I suggest to them is get a day planner."

Case resolutions also are quicker because of the weekly interactions.

However, Drug Court is stricter and implements a "three-strikes" program
when defendants commit major infractions.

On a first offense during probation, a defendant may be lodged in the
County Jail for up to two weeks. If an addict continues to use drugs while
on probation, that person may be removed from the program entirely.

"The relapse is almost expected," Meredith said. "But somehow, most of them
manage to get over the fact that I'm there to help."

The program may be completed successfully within one to two years. If a
defendant is successful in the diversion track, the judge could set aside
the guilty plea and the charge may be expunged from the criminal record.

For a defendant performing well on probation, the drug offense may be
discharged conditionally for the remainder of the probationary time.

Court officials said two more individuals are expected to graduate from
Drug Court in the near future.

As for Fryerson, the road to recovery has been long and bumpy. In fact,
there was a time when she even doubted herself.

"That day you told me you wanted to go back to jail, it broke my heart,"
Janice Cunningham, case specialist for Drug Court, recalled to Fryerson. "I
am so proud of you."

Now today, Fryerson "looks like a million dollars," a comment made by
several of her friends while congratulating her.

Graduation from Drug Court, though, does not signify the end for Fryerson's
addiction troubles. It only marks the beginning.

"I'm still going to need some help. I hope they don't kick me out of the
program quite yet," she said, with both tears and a smile. "I just take it
one day at a time and pray."

Fryerson received a standing ovation.