Drug Court Observations

The Blount County Drug Court was a very interesting and informative court to observe and experience. I think the Drug Court is a great program that appears to be rehabilitating and helping many people. The Drug Court contained all different types of people and ones at different levels of recovery. There seemed to be a great feeling of camaraderie and support among the people in the program.

The professionals in the program included the District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney, Probation Officer, counselors from the hospital, Public Defender, Theresa (Program Director) and lastly, Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. These people were all present both times that I attended Drug Court. One thing that I found very interesting was how positive and kind the judge was to the offenders. Judge Thomas was always very supportive of all the people who were doing well and of the ones who were struggling. He had a great outlook for everyone. I also noticed a great rapport between the judge and the clients who had been in the program for awhile. Judge Thomas appeared to be genuinely happy for the ones who were progressing in the program; and he also looked very proud of the clients who were advancing to phase IV or graduating. Everyone on the panel was also very supportive of the offenders, as they would clap for the ones who were advancing in the program.

The clients were average, everyday people, like you or me. I was very surprised at some of the people in there. Drugs can infect anyone’s life, as I have learned from coming to Drug Court. The clients were the people in the sitting area, like us. They would appear before the judge and tell him of their previous week. The clients ranged from 18-30+ year old. There was one man who looked like a professional, like he could be my father or someone else’s. I was really shocked when he was called to approach the bench and speak with the judge, because I thought for sure that he was there with someone. Another surprise to me was the girl who looked like she was about my age. There were also some women who looked like they could be my mother or grandmother. This proves that drug use does not just happen to a certain class or certain types of people. Also present at Drug Court were young men, young mothers, and middle-aged men and women.

The participants in Drug Court had a variety of different problems that they encounter on their journey to recovery. An ever constant battle they face is the “need” to do drugs in times of despair. At least two people commented that they had gotten into a fight with family members over the weekend. One of the men used that weekend and was placed in jail for 48 hours, whereas the other man, who was entering Phase IV, did not use that weekend. Some of the clients were having trouble finding sponsors to help them. Other people were having trouble with transportation. One young man was depending on someone at his halfway house to give him rides (they were in the program as well). It appeared that a lot of the people were skipping meetings, which is punishable with hours of community service. A young mother had trouble getting to court on time, which was easily fixed with the judge telling her that she would simply have to leave her house earlier. One young man was having conflict with meetings and his school schedule. Apparently the class he is taking is only offered one night a week, the night his meetings are. So that he can go to school and attend the meetings, he has switched meeting nights. The new meeting night was one that was longer than his original, but he is doing what is necessary so he can attend school. There was one strange incident which no one could really figure out. There was one woman who was in her third week in the program. She had broken a rule, though it is not drug usage because her screen came back negative, and was sent to jail for 48 hours. She appeared to be very shaken by the whole incident and was worried that she would lose her daughter. The judge had to show no mercy and sent her to jail anyway.

The structure of this program is actually quite simple. The participants are required to attend meetings, have random drug screenings, appear in court, and participate in AA or NA meetings. The meetings occur in Blount Memorial Hospital. In the meetings that take place in the hospital, the offenders participate in group therapy. The counselors evaluate the individuals’ progress and provide them with therapy. I believe that on Friday nights is family night. People are encouraged to bring their family members, especially ones the individuals are having problems with. Something important that the judge said to one of the clients was that he or she needed to make peace with their family members, that was very important. Every Monday (maybe four times a month, depending what Phase the participant is in) Drug Court is in session. The individual appears before the judge and discusses his or her progress with him. Once a month a breakfast is given for everyone in the court or when someone accomplishes something special. For instance, last week the program saw its first graduate.

The atmosphere in the courtroom is different from any other. This Drug Court and any other court are completely different. The atmosphere in Drug Court is completely relaxed. The people are actually asked to approach the judge and hand him items (i.e. receipt for court fees). The judge speaks with the people on a very personal level. He never degrades them or puts them down. He is completely supportive of these people and talks to them like they are all individuals. Another aspect that is different from a regular courtroom is that these people do not need or have a lawyer defending them. They speak one-on-one with the judge. Also, Drug Court is very easy to follow and understand, though we may not know the backgrounds of these people and their cases. In other courtrooms, the language used would be really difficult to follow. Overall, Drug Court is much more relaxed and a more comfortable environment.

The Blount County Drug Court appears to be doing really well. I am glad to have learned about it and have been able to watch a few sessions. The people in Drug Court really seem to be trying (some more than others) and everyone seems to be there for each other. The participants look as if they can rely on each other as well as their sponsors. Drug Court was someone’s wonderful idea to help these people get treatment rather than overcrowd the jails with them and have the people receive no help for their addictions. This is something that hopefully will continue to be a success in Blount County and a program that can be used in other cities as well.

Sept. 30, 2000