Drug Court

About two years ago, Robin Duncan’s biggest concern in life was when and how she was going to get high. Addicted to OxyContin, her life was headed on a downward spiral. She weighed a mere 89 pounds, and her thin, frail frame was turning yellow. There was a warrant out for her arrest after she failed to pay child support and missed a court appearance. It was then that Duncan came to the realization that she needed help. “It is humbling to ask for help, but once you do, you’ll feel so at peace,” Duncan said.

Five success stories began with a trip to jail on drug charges. The oppurtinity for a better ending came through a referral to drug court and involved hard work, community service and difficult choices. For five adults, new lives began Thursday afternoon when they graduated from Clark County’s drug court program. Four were the first graduates from the county’s new misdemeanor program, while the fifth completed the felony program. “What we strive to do... is find young people , first time offenders (that)

Lincoln County Drug Court is now in session. Drug courts offer offenders charged with less-serious drug crimes the option of entering rehabilitation in lieu of serving a jail sentence. It's hard to get into drug court and even harder to get out successfully. "A lot of people will not be appropriate for drug court," said Lincoln County Jailer David Gooch. "It's not an easy out. It's only for those who genuinely want off drugs. " Gooch is on the panel that will select candidates for the drug-court diversion program.

Dear Editor, Judge Peckler and his drug court have been the subject recently of several letters to the editor. Some, such as Steve Knight (Oct. 15), have criticized Judge Peckler for not evaluating his drug court. Others, such as Donnie Donselman (Oct. 30), aren't impressed by statistics and believe that Judge Peckler's professional qualities are more important to focus on. I had a letter about Judge Peckler's drug court published on July 12 of this year. I don't know Judge Peckler.

Dear Editor, I would like to take a few minutes and ask a question about Judge Peckler's drug court. I for one would like to see the statistics on if it works or not. Also, I ask how does this court not cost taxpayers money? Is it staffed by volunteers? It's a question that people would like an answer to. If it is, then it could be a model to other drug courts. Joey Jacobs Perryville

Fewer drug offenders are going to jail thanks to Lincoln County's fledgling drug court, which has only three participants now but will grow to about 25, said Mellissa LaRusch, case specialist for Lincoln and Pulaski counties. Speaking to the Stanford Rotary Club Monday, Ms. LaRusch explained that drug court is one way Lincoln County is reducing the prisoner population at its chronically overcrowded jail (the county also has recently contracted with a home-incarceration service and is considering building a bigger jail)

Five Clark County teens are now sober and looking forward to a brighter future, without drugs, thanks to their completion of the juvenile drug court program. Graduation ceremonies were Tuesday at the Clark County Judicial Center to honor Chris Bell, Amanda Martin, Chasity Roe, A.J. Hollon and Nathan Brookshire. "These young people have worked hard to put bad things behind them," program coordinator Anna Beth Hardiman told graduation attendees. The program involves three phases, each of which must be completed before the teens are allowed to graduate.

An A&E documentary featuring Clark and Madison County's Juvenile Drug Court won an Emmy on Friday night.The show, "A Question of Life or Meth," featured Judge Brandy Oliver Brown's drug court in a 30-minute segment that discusses the court's function and impact. It beat four others in its category, including broadcasts of the 80th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and NBC's 117th Tournament of Roses. The documentary aired several times on A&E and on Winchester's public access channel 5 around the holidays last year and is occasionally still shown on A&E. "I was just so proud to be part of something that was so well done and focused on such an important issue," said program coordinator Anna Beth Hardiman after the nomination in March.

Editor's Note: Today's stories about prescription drug abuse are the last in a three-day series that examines the growing problems created by the rise of the pill culture. LIBERTY - Outside the Casey County Judicial Center last week, a reporter with a notepad and camera caught the attention of Sam Luttrell. "Are you a journalist?" asked Luttrell, a lively 20-year-old from Russell Springs. "You need to talk to me. " Soon, five others had joined the conversation. Like Luttrell, they were all at the Judicial Center to submit to urine tests as required by their participation in Drug Court, a treatment and rehab focused program they chose over being sentenced to prison for drug convictions.

Clarification In the Feb. 28 story “County officials want to boost staff pay,” Clark County Attorney Brian Thomas was quoted as saying the costs to put drug court participants in jail is $11,000, but only $6,000 to put them through drug court. The drug court is funded by a grant, not by the county. The court approved Thomas' proposal to create a program to help drug court participants with their rehabilitation process, which would be partially funded by Thomas' office. The county attorney's office will pay $250 to $300 a person in this program.

The following cases were resolved in Clark Circuit Court Feb. 14 with Judge Jean Chenault Logue presiding. - Joshua N. Anders, probation revocation, sentenced to five years. - Ronnie D. Williams Jr., probation revocation, sentenced to three years. - Ashley N. Arnett, probation revocation, stipulated to probable cause, sentenced to one year. -  Larry Scott Minniear, probation violation, stipulated to violation, sentenced to one year. - James Tyler Wells, first-degree burglary (two counts)

Although not all were eager to participate in the beginning, six members of the community celebrated their second chance Tuesday evening as they graduated from Clark County's Circuit and District Drug Court. Travis Reynolds, a drug court graduate from Fayette County who has owned and operated his own business for the last three years, spoke about the program and his struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. Graduating from drug court, which teaches graduates accountability, responsibility and a new way of life, is not the end of the journey, he told the graduates.

Local court officials are working to grasp what three furlough days would mean to their offices and the courts. Wednesday morning, Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton announced that judicial workers across the state will have unpaid furlough days on Aug. 6, Sept. 4 and Oct. 15 to try and meet the new state budget. The judicial system lost $25.2 million in the new budget. Clark Circuit Clerk Paula Joslin said Wednesday she received the email at 11 a.m. and is still working to determine what impact it will have locally.

The following cases were resolved in Clark District Court March 7 with Judge Earl-Ray Neal presiding. - Antonio R. Hooten, theft by unlawful taking, pleaded guilty, 60 days, restitution; disorderly conduct, pleaded guilty, concurrent sentence. - Irene M. Wolfenbarger, driving under the influence,pleaded guilty, fined, 90-day license suspension; possession of open container of alcohol in motor vehicle, dismissed; third-degree criminal trespassing, dismissed. - David Glen Campbell, flagrant non-support, waived to grand jury.

  An appearance in a courtroom is not something most people look forward to. But for the eight individuals seated in the jury box in Clark Circuit Court Thursday, it was a court appearance they had anticipated for a very long time. The eight were gathered to celebrate their graduation from Clark County Drug Court and to celebrate a hard-earned second chance on life, free from addiction. The drug court, in its second year, offers individuals a chance to reclaim their lives through a rigorous three phase program with a regimen of accountability, treatment, structure, community service and an after care component.

STANFORD - Hagan Folger, son of Lincoln County Sheriff Curt Folger, is facing charges and an extended hospital stay after sheriff's deputies discovered stolen items in a vehicle he wrecked last weekend. Hagan Folger, 24, is fair condition at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center recovering from hip and knee injuries suffered when he crashed his mother's Ford Explorer into a ditch and tree on Blue Lick Road about 1 a.m. Saturday, Sheriff Folger said. Deputies discovered a mandolin and power tools at the scene of the accident and confirmed Wednesday that the items were stolen from vehicles Saturday evening.

Five success stories began with a trip to jail on drug charges. The oppurtinity for a better ending came through a referral to drug court and involved hard work, community service and difficult choices. For five adults, new lives began Thursday afternoon when they graduated from Clark County’s drug court program. Four were the first graduates from the county’s new misdemeanor program, while the fifth completed the felony program. “What we strive to do... is find young people , first time offenders (that)