One person was scheduled to graduate when the ceremony was first scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, although there are more than a dozen people working through the program, said Karla White of the county’s district court. David Highsmith was given a plaque on Feb. 17 for completing an 18-month drug court program.
Awarding the plaque to Highsmith were Drug Court Supervisor Larry Hyde and District Judges Jill Clark and Jamus Redd. Highsmith said he had his doubts about the program when he started it, but those doubts vanished after his successful completion.
Although the program lasts at least a year, how long the program actually lasts is determined on an individual basis, White said, adding that the program in Trigg County was started about two years ago.
The substance abuse program is performed in lieu of jail time, so that those involved in the program can return to their normal lives and can meet their normal obligations, and there are three phases to the program, said White.
The first phase, the stabilizing period, generally lasts about six weeks and includes at least three random drug and alcohol screens per week and three counseling sessions per week, one court session per week, and the participant must maintain court-approved employment, training or education and court-approved housing, White said.
Drug Court staff also help create an individual treatment program that focuses on the participants individual problems and needs, which may involve domestic violence counseling, anger management counseling mental health services or other services, she said.
(For the rest of the story, see this week's edition of The Cadiz Record.)
