Drug Court Graduates

Story Date: Saturday, February 2, 2008

River Valley Meth Project recognizes Drug Court graduates

Bureau of Legislative Research attorney Mike Feehan to speak at next meeting
By Mary Kincy Benefield
Reporter
Members of the River Valley METHamphetamine Project (RVMP) hosted graduation ceremonies for the 5th Judicial District Drug Court Treatment Program Wednesday morning. The program, typically offered to non-violent individuals charged with drug possession offenses, offers intensive outpatient treatment to first-time offenders willing to accept help in obtaining a chemical-free lifestyle as an alternative to incarceration. David Gibbons, 5th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, called the program and its results one of the more rewarding parts of his job. “It is inevitable that if [the program participants] weren’t doing this, they would be in prison at some point in their lives,” he said. Circuit Judge Dennis Sutterfield, in conferring diplomas on the graduates, called the program the most positive thing he has witnessed in 20 years on the bench. “When we first started this program, I didn’t think it would work, but I didn’t realize the power of a positive gesture,” he told the crowd. In addition to a helping hand and drug treatment services, the program offers participants monitoring and evaluation tools designed at governing participant compliance through program interaction, according to a program brochure. Mayor Tyrone Williamson offered the program’s current participants as well as Wednesday’s four graduates words of encouragement during the ceremony, reminding them to “keep the faith.” “You’ve got to crawl before you walk, but the thing is you’ve got to be walking in the right way,” he said. “This court is the beginning of that.” In other business, RVMP participants learned Mike Feehan, an attorney with the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, will speak at next month’s meeting about proposed legislation designed at providing initiatives aimed at assisting rehabilitated individuals in obtaining employment. Marti Wilkerson, an associate professor of rehabilitation science at Arkansas Tech University and the RVMP lead facilitator, also informed the project an alcohol and drug treatment information hotline is now listed in the Downey telephone directory, which includes listings for Russellville, Dardanelle, Danville, Atkins and the surrounding communities. The hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, can be reached at 968-7086. The RVMP, formed in 2004, is composed of community leaders dedicated to curbing METHamphetamine use, manufacturing, and distribution and enhancing treatment options in the Arkansas River Valley and its surrounding areas. Note: The March 2 edition of The Courier will feature an in-depth look at the 5th Judicial District Drug Court Treatment Program’s efforts at rehabilitating individuals suffering from chemical dependencies.