Author: Mindy Nelson-Oakes

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MAY IS NATIONAL DRUG COURT MONTH!

This year as part of National Drug Court Month, NADCP is hosting an art contest for treatment court participants and alumni! Art is a powerful tool for conveying the emotions and ideas related to recovery that may be difficult to verbalize. Click here for more information.

This National Drug Court Month, WSADCP and WADC join more than 4,000 treatment courts across the country to celebrate lives, families, and resources saved by this vital justice reform. Therapeutic Courts across Washington State are fostering recovery and reducing crime by offering evidence-based treatment and accountability to people struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. WSADCP and WADC are excited to share a few success stories from those who have been through programs across the state. THERAPEUTIC COURTS WORK!

LEWIS COUNTY DRUG COURT: RONNIE
Ronnie shares his Drug Court journey and post-graduate success
Ronnie graduating from Drug Court
KING COUNTY DRUG DIVERSION COURT: FREDRICK

In March 2021, facing more than 57 months in prison for vehicle theft, Freddie, was given a chance at Drug Court. His opioid use had started off as pain management but quickly spiraled out of control. Freddie explains he was addicted to alcohol, methamphetamines, and opioids and engaged in theft to support his use. He was living homeless and unemployed at the time he transferred into drug court. Freddie moved into drug court transitional housing the day he discharged from jail and kept in close contact with his case manager. Soon, his life started changing. Twenty years after he lost his driver’s license, drug court helped him get it back. That led to an employment opportunity and at the age of 43, in less than two years’ span, Freddie went from stealing cars to working full-time as a delivery driver. Freddie has reconnected with his children and is in the process of securing permanent housing.

Fredrick (2022 Graduate)

“This program has been hands down amazing. I have been in and out of the system – jail and institutions – since 1997. I have had multiple arrests, a lot stemming from drug use and alcoholism and bouts of homelessness, and mental health issues. Out of all this time, I never seen a program like Drug Court. I really think it needs to be expanded – it could benefit a lot more people. I am doing the work – but the vehicle of Drug Court has pretty much saved my life. I hope the funding continues. I can’t say enough about this program. Fifteen years of hell was unraveled in less than two years. I know I am not fully healed, but I am healing. When I look back from 2020 to where I am today, it is not even me. ” Freddie says what surprised him most about Drug Court was how the whole court setting is so different than mainstream court. “Everybody was for you – the judge, the prosecutor, everyone. The whole team claps for you and is excited when you are doing well…I had a team behind me that wanted me to succeed.” In April 2022, Freddie graduated drug court. He is looking ahead to his future and thinking of ways to give back.

LEWIS COUNTY DRUG COURT: DANIEL
Daniel shares what he has regained through Drug Court and how has given back to the community
Baseball Giveback Event
KING COUNTY DRUG DIVERSION COURT: MARJORIE

Marjorie comes from France and Ireland and has been in the US since 2003. She was very involved in sports growing up and competed as a gymnast for 15 years. In June 2011, Marjorie got diagnosed with chronic stress fractures in her back, which promptly ended her gymnastics career. Having so much free time on her hands and not knowing what to fill it with, she turned to drugs, and the next eight years were filled with unhealthy choices, incarceration, and treatment facilities. On May 6, 2019, Marjorie learned she was pregnant; her sobriety started the next day. After this jumpstart of motivation, she has since found passion in life. She is a King County Diversion Court graduate, an active member in the 12-Step meeting community, and is a dedicated mother to her son, Liam. Marjorie hopes to become a pillar in the recovery community and strives to make a difference using her personal and professional experience. Marjorie is a certified Recovery Coach and works as a Program Manager at Peer Kent.

Marjorie (2020 Graduate)
LEWIS COUNTY DRUG COURT: DAVID
David credits Drug Court with saving his life
Lewis County Drug Court graduates
KING COUNTY DRUG DIVERSION COURT

You can experience the triumphant jubilation of a drug court graduation by watching the recent King County Drug Diversion Court Graduation here.

KITSAP COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COURT: JEFF

Jeff graduated from the Behavioral Health Court program in September 2021. He shares his experience and success below.