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Measuring progress, one success at a time



Larry Meyer Argus Observer

VALE

May has been designated “National Drug Court Month” in Malheur County and across the nation, as drug courts celebrate the positive impact their programs have on local communities.

The month is also significant for team members of Malheur County's drug court as they celebrate and reflect on the results of rehabilitation for many.

Those team members filled the Malheur County Court chambers Wednesday for the signing of a special proclamation by members of the locally elected body.

Malheur County's drug court, which is called SAFE Court - “Stop Addiction ForEver” - began in January 2001. During the past five years, the court has celebrated the graduation of the 72 people, the births of eight drug-free children to its participants and the sobriety of countless participants and their families, Christine Mosier-Crysler, court coordinator, said.

The program accepts people who are non-violent and repeat drug and/or alcohol offenders, Mosier-Crysler said.

All of the participants have had repeated encounters with the criminal justice system because of their addictions. The program is voluntary and participants are in the treatment program for a minimum of 15 months or longer.

Mosier-Crysler said participants are required to complete a certain number of community service hours, but most do more than they are required.

“They want to give back to the community,” Pam Barton state courts administrator said.

Besides the Malheur County Circuit Courts, other partners in the drug court include Training and Employment Consortium, the law firm of Rader, Stoddard and Perez, Lifeways Behavioral Health, the Malheur County District Attorney's office, Malheur County Community Corrections, the Oregon Department of Human Service, Alcohol Recovery Center, the Ontario Police Department, the Malheur County Juvenile Department, and the Malheur County Sheriff's Office and the Malheur County Jail.

The group of five people expected to graduate from the drug court in June represent a diverse cross section of the area Circuit Judge Patricia Sullivan said.

“They come to us with a history of failure,” Sullivan said. “To see them succeed is really exciting.”

Another difference from most drug courts is the separate men's and women's programs. There are currently 19 people in each, Mosier-Crysler said.

Participants pay to go through the program, she said.

“It's a hardship,” she said. However, Mosier-Crysler said most participants are determined to make it through the program.

“There is always a need for treatment dollars,” she said. Drug court graduations are held on the second Thursday of every month if there are people who have completed the program.

Treatment courts statewide have shown a recidivism rate of 10 percent, which is nearly 50 percent lower than standard probation cases where offenders are told to seek treatment on their own.




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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