Today was my first experience with drug court.
And it was an experience I have been looking forward to.
I was there as a guest. An observer. A proud sister.
Drug court is part of the new responsibility of my brother, Phillip, as Circuit Court Judge in Franklin County. This isn't the first time I have been home since Phillip was elected to the bench. But my visits are usually during the holidays and those are not high drama times on the court docket. I have read headlines about the decisions he has given but never been able to be in the courtroom. This time, I was determined to see him in action. So I settled for the less dramatic -- but very moving--session of drug court.
In Kentucky, drug court is a special track for drug offenders who have the potential of rehabilitation. It is a structured program that gives offenders a constructive alternative to incarceration. Drug court, for those who qualify and stick to the program, becomes an alternative path to the criminal prosecution route. The program requires a concerted effort of a drug court team -- including the judge, social services, mental health, probation officers, court officials and vocational counselors. The team meets for updates on the regular drug tests, community service, status of educational work (many working on GEDs), status of employment (or seeking of employment). I couldn't help but wonder if the drug offenders had any idea how many people were interested, helping and pulling for them.
In court, Phillip was impressive. Now, I will grant you that, as Mary Allen said, I would have been impressed with anything he did. She is right. He is a true hero of my life. But, as much as bias can be set aside, he was everything you could want for a judge. He was respectful of those who stood before him; well aware of the details of their status and history; encouraging but firm. He was sensitive to unusual hardships but didn't hesitate to mandate requirements that would be in the longterm benefit to the person before him. And it was clear by his rulings and his demeanor that he intended for the participants to live up to the orders of the court.
These are the kind of people that others often give up on. Each person represents a sad situation --usually a combination of adversity, dysfunction, abuse, difficulty, disability, and educational deficiency. I know that, even in a structured program designed to help/support/guide, all this effort Phillip and his team give will not save everyone. But there will be some who get a new lease on life. They will remember drug court as a turning point in their life. And, even those who don't make it will look back and remember that, in my brother's court, they got a fair chance.
I had my first experience at drug court today and it was very moving. I don't think my heart could take it every week. But today reminded me of all the public servants who do this work all the time--judges, social workers, mental health workers, public defenders, probation officers, guidance counselors. God bless them.
