Published May 21, 2009
ABCAugusta.com
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/45787887.html
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Nearly 50 drug addicts are celebrating their commitment to come clean. As part of National Drug Court Month, Augusta’s program honored its participants on Thursday.
Each week, The Augusta Judicial Circuit Drug Court recruits drug addicts who want to turn over a new leaf.
“It’s a system of checks and balances. We see them every day and we screen them on a regular basis each week,” said Judge James Blanchard, Drug Court.
A system that’s helped one addict turn his life around.
“It’s much harder for me now that I’ve relapsed, but I’m peaking over the whole. I’m getting over it. It’s something that I want with all my heart and soul,” said a participant.
Judge James Blanchard helped start drug court last August as a way to help addicts become clean and stay out of the prison system. Participants are given strict rules to follow during the two year period.
It includes a curfew, drug testing several times a week, counseling every day and a visit with the Judge every week; rules that have serious consequences if broken.
This mom says it took a few trips to jail before her son realized he had reached rock bottom.
“It was the fact that he was facing at least 20 years, and he was taking a good hard look at himself,” said a mom.
Her son’s only been in the program for a month, but she says it’s already making a difference.
“He’s getting his life together. I have good hopes that after the two years he’ll be on his way to being a productive citizen,” said a mom.
Judge Blanchard says drug court has a 70 percent success rate. Once participants complete the program, their charges are dropped. Then, they’re required to get background checks every year for five years to make sure they haven’t been arrested.
