"Rick is 46 years old," said Judge Stark. "He has been using alcohol since age 13 and marijuana since age 15. When he entered our court, he had not been clean and sober for more than four months for over 25 years--and that was the four months he spent in jail."

Rick appeared before Judge Stark after his ninth OWI (operating while intoxicated) offense. Instead of his initial sentence of three years in prison and three years extended supervision, Judge Stark placed him on three years' probation on the condition that he successfully complete drug court.

"The first month Rick entered our court, we considered it a victory that he quit drinking. He continued to use marijuana for about a month and then quit that too," said Judge Stark. "His sober date is May 10, 2005. Once clean, he has not re-offended. He has made all groups and meetings and helps support others in the drug court. He has obtained a driver's license."

Most importantly, said Judge Stark, Rick has gained custody of his 13-year-old daughter. "Rick is a loving father and does a great job with his grandchildren as well. His children trust him to care for the family. Before drug court, that would never have happened."

Rick's is but one of many success stories coming out of drug courts across the country. Among other things, studies show that drug courts save money, promote recovery, reduce criminal recidivism, benefit the community, improve the family relations of participants, and increase the number of "drug-free" babies born to drug court participants. Although it may mean more work for them, judges like Judge Stark see drug courts as a much better alternative than prison.

"Jail doesn't work as a rehabilitative tool, and sometimes prison creates more problems than it solves," said Barron County Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge Edward Brunner. It took two years to get his drug court up and running.

"The idea of drug court was initially met with some resistance--especially from law enforcement who often view it as ‘soft on crime,' " said Judge Brunner. "But we took it to the public. We went around to every service club, showed videos, and talked about why it makes sense--how it saves lives and can get participants to be productive in their communities."

The drug court team consists of Judge Brunner, a district attorney, a public defender, a drug investigator from the Sheriff's Department, a jail supervisor, and a probation officer. In addition, the team includes a county treatment person, a behavioral health advisor, a tribal treatment person, a professor of sociology who measures program results, and an information specialist who helps coordinate data.

Judge Brunner's drug court is not just for substance abusers who have created drug-related crimes. It is for non-violent offenders who are addicted to drugs. It takes a minimum of one year and an average of 18 months to graduate from drug court. Participants must attend all meetings and court appearances, obtain a full-time job, acquire a GED, fulfill the community service requirement, and go at least six months without a relapse.

Enrollees are tested for all drugs three times a week, and are required to appear before Judge Brunner every Tuesday. Before this appearance, he meets with the drug court team to review each case. Participants are required to keep a journal and write a couple of papers to let the team know how they are doing. They have to pay a fee of $750 to participate in drug court, but they can work some of that off by doing community service.

Judge Brunner said the community support for their drug court program has been terrific. Local businesses provide vouchers for meals, movies and other entertainment, and diapers and other necessities. He said these rewards celebrate sobriety and other successes, but also introduce participants to environments and "non-drug culture" activities that help change their lives.

It takes hard work and genuine commitment to complete drug court. Drug courts show that when the focus is put on the root of the problem (substance abuse) instead of the result of the problem (illegal activity), remarkable things can happen, and remarkable people can emerge from the fog of their addictions.

--Published June 26, 2006