Celebrating the virtues of drug court

An addiction to drugs and alcohol is one of the most heartbreaking afflictions imaginable, particularly for surrounding family.

They watch as their loved one turns into someone else. Addictions can turn people into thieves, liars and worse. They lead to bad, life-altering decisions, even suicide.

The court system sees addicts all the time; in fact, our system is full of them.

One court program gives addicts one last chance to change their lives. Called the drug court, a team implements the 18-month to two-year program that has four levels with specific treatment goals. It is implemented by a team, which includes Associate Circuit Judge Scott A. Lipke, drug court administrator Sheila Sauer, prosecutors and defenders, law enforcement, a tracker, public defenders, probation officers and substance-abuse and mental-health counselors.

According to an article written by Southeast Missourian reporter Erin Ragan, the program includes frequent drug testing, meetings with probation officers and about 30 appearances before the judge, along with many other stringent rules.

"It's very tedious," Lipke said. "A lot of these folks come to us with no driver's license, no job. And as compassionate as we can be at times, we hold their feet to the fire and make sure they get there."

Participants pay for a portion of the program cost -- $1,200 to $1,800 each.

Overall, according to Ragan's reporting, the state touts the program as a financial success. Estimates from October's report by the drug courts coordinating commission for Missouri show savings in fiscal 2014 was about $14,500 for each person who was diverted from state prison into treatment court, totaling $27 million.

Recently, a group of seven individuals "graduated" from drug court. It was a celebration of a tremendous accomplishment. Recovery is difficult. And it is a process that remains ongoing, but after completing the program, the addicts have the tools to deal with their problem.

Addiction is a root for so many of our society's problems. The drug court is one way to address the problem, one individual at a time, yet, on a bigger scale, saving the state prison system millions of dollars over the long haul.

Congratulations to the recent drug court graduates. And thank you to the people behind the scenes who are working to keep these folks focused on recovery.