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JUSTICE Jackson County court program helps addicts rebound from the bottom Defendants complete drug court, find new hope along road to recovery Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 4:57 PM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 5:18 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 4:57 PM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 5:18 PM » Social News Loved ones and supporters of clean living packed a courthouse room Thursday afternoon as seven bright faces dressed in their Sunday best celebrated lives newly recovered from the clutches of drug and alcohol addiction. The jury selection room was anything but somber as seven recovering addicts with criminal pasts picked up framed completion certificates at Jackson County Adult Drug Court's graduation ceremony. In front of an audience of more than 100, Circuit Court Judge Patricia Crain, who oversees the court, said for some of those graduating it's the closest thing to a high school graduation experience they've ever had. Among those in the crowd was Saresha Whitley, who sat in the front row as "grand-sponsor" to support Alison Gunn, her sponsee's sponsee. Thursday also marked Whitley's 11th year clean and sober, and Gunn's father, sitting next to her, wished her a "happy clean-birthday." "When I was getting in trouble, there was nothing like this," Whitley said. "I wish it would've been around for me." Gunn, who said she has marked 538 clean and sober days, was overcome with emotion at the podium as she thanked her family, particularly her father, for sticking by her when they had good reason to give up on her. "There were times he had to show me some tough love," Gunn said. Gunn was particularly remorseful that she missed the birth of her baby brother to be around drug addicts instead. During her speech, Gunn said her life began to change in August 2014, when she was lodged in jail on 27 charges. About that time she heard about the treatment court program. "I decided I wanted a second chance at life," Gunn said. Today she has a boyfriend, plans to go back to school, and she said she pays her bills on time. Because Gunn completed the drug court program, Crain said her probation will be terminated early, six months from now. The quarterly ceremony punctuated a rigorous treatment program that typically lasts 18 months and is based on a contract between the defendant and the court. Fail to meet the terms of the contract, and the participant faces jail time. "It's a lot of work," said April Murray, coordinator for Jackson County drug court. "Sometimes prison's easier." Murray said that Jackson County's drug court success rate is 55 percent, higher than state averages, which she attributes to the program's partnership with OnTrack, which provides drug and alcohol treatment. Each individual's case is different, but during the first month of drug court participants typically have weekly court appearances and are required to submit to drug tests three times a week, all in addition to OnTrack, 12-step and probation officer meetings. The regular meetings with judges get less frequent as the participants obtain sponsors in their 12-step programs, learn to find employment and pay outstanding fines, fees and restitution. Other requirements include facing victims of their crimes, reading accountability letters and mandatory community volunteer projects. Once participants enter the program, only the judge decides when and how they leave. Penalties for missing court dates, meetings or testing positive for drugs can include community service, work crew or jail time. During the ceremony, some thanked Crain for sending them to jail for periods as long as 30 days when they weren't complying. Others graduating included Thomas Vollmer, who said he celebrated 620 days clean and sober Thursday. In 2012, he was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants and found with methamphetamine. As a retired police officer, Vollmer said he knew the dangers but thought he could control it. The drug ultimately impacted his marriage and contact with his family. "I was retired, so it didn't affect my employment, but it did affect my life," Vollmer said. Since he entered the program, Vollmer has become involved with a "cowboy church" and reconnected with his family. Because Vollmer completed the program, Crain said his felony meth possession charge will be dismissed. "People are grateful because their lives change," Crain said. Graduate Brandon Bigham now has a full-time job and recently purchased a home, but before drug court he was living couch-to-couch and addicted to meth. "In my mind, I thought they were the crazy ones not trusting me," Bigham said. "I was a mess." For completing the drug court program, Bigham's probation was terminated early. Carrying a bouquet of roses, Wanda Parker recalled her life before drug court when she was isolated by her addiction. Remembering a time when she had nothing, her community project was a sock drive for the homeless. "The only time I associated with people, it was when they came over to buy drugs," Parker said. "Drug court's really changed my life." Instead of a speech, graduate Jeremy Brewer, who has been clean for 9 months, closed the ceremony with a song he wrote. Since starting his drug court program, Brewer has became involved in his church, got married and built a home. For completing the program, Crain announced his one felony heroin possession charge has been dismissed. "Any day now, I shall be redeemed," Brewer sang. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 4:57 PM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 5:18 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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