Download - Brochure December2012 (1)
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7/30/2019 Brochure December2012 (1)
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nside This Issue
ume 2, Issue 4
cember 2012A Publication by
2013 Officers
and Directorsennessee Association of
rug Court Professionals
eveloping A
edia Policy 2
ice Wins Christy
ernon Spirit Award 3
ADCP Host 8th Annual
ate Conference 3
th Judicial District
th Anniversary 4
scussion At
pscomb University 5
h Hamilton County
aduating Class 5
e Presidents
orner 5
d Annual
ay on the Hill 6
embership
pplication 6
President
Mary Schneider
Vice President
Tracye Bryant
Treasurer
Brad Price
Secretary
Rick Taylor
West Tennessee DirectorAngela Parkerson
Middle Tennessee Director
Marianne Schroer
East Tennessee Director
Judge Charles Cerny
At Large Directors
Ron Hanaver
Kevin Batts
Jill Barrett
OVERCOMING ADVERSITYBY KNOX COUNTY DRUG COURT JUDGE, HONORABLE CHUCK CER
I volunteered to
write an article for
the newsletter, and
I thought it would
be a piece of cake.
Just like the story
that I (ah, I mean
the story my son)
wrote for 9th grade
English. It was a
combination of
"The Art of Racing
in the Rain" and
"1776"; that is, itwas a retelling of Washington's crossing of
the Delaware River from his dog's perspec-
tive. It was great! Never had the words
flowed so easily from my (I mean, my
son's) word processor! So, if I can write a
basic outline for my (I mean my son's) first
novel, a little article should be easy, right?
I volunteered to write about overcoming
adversity when your Drug Court judge is
accused of using pain killers, accused of
having an affair with a Drug Court graduate,
and accused of committing several state and
federal crimes. I volunteered to write about
what happens when your Drug Court judge
has to resign. I volunteered to do just a lit-
tle factual article about the things we havedone to continue to help people achieve
sobriety and never re-offend even after
some of the worst possible things that could
happen happened to our program. I was
just plain stupid! What was I thinking?
Let's start this way: how can I call it
"overcoming adversity?" We are still up
and functioning, we still have our grant and
we pay the salaries of our staff, and we still
have participants who seem to be doing
well. But many of the supportive members
of the community were so discouraged that
they no longer meet together to be an advi-
sory board for our Drug Court. We still
have fantastic staff, and they are still coun-
seling and helping participants, but we areoperating at about half of our capacity. We
still have graduates, and we will have a few
more at our next milestones party, but we
also have quite a few who decide they want
to leave the program against our advice,
thinking that rotting in jail would be better
for them than completing our Drug Court.
"Overcoming" means some sort of over-
whelming victory. I think that we are tak-
ing it one day at a time, but we are still
here.
The Knox County Criminal Court Judges
asked me to help Drug Court continue
shortly after our Drug Court Judge had to
resign. Since that time, I have attended two
national conferences, and our state confer-ence, and I have had the great privilege of
serving briefly on our Tennessee
Association of Drug Court Professionals
board, which I continue to do. I have han-
dled dockets and staffing almost every
Wednesday afternoon since I was asked to
help, and I can say that I used to believe in
Drug Court. Now, I BELIEVE IN DRUG
COURT!!! I have seen participants com-
plete our program and their lives have
changed. So I keep coming back to the
dockets. I have seen our staff continue to
be quietly excellent at what they do, car-
ing for and counseling participants, help-
ing them to a new and better way of life.
So, I keep issuing the sanctions. I have
seen participants relapse and almost die
and then come back and beg to stay in our
program. So I keep buying Jolly Ranchercandies, as a small, symbolic incentive in
the hope that we can make a difference.
Our director continues to give me rea-
sons for hope, especially when I see him
interact with a partici-
pant. He is level-head-
ed, hard working, expe-
rienced, and he is
skilled at counseling
our participants. Our
case manager is a
patient saint of a woman, but she is tena-
cious at holding participants accountable.
She recently had a problem with her comp
time: she was entitled to so much comp
time because of all of her hard work whenshe helped our program get started, that she
was told by our county government that she
had to take the comp time or there would be
repercussions. That was months ago. She
has been taking the comp time, but she still
works diligently to help our participants.
She has given our participants her cell num-
ber, and she is available to help them any
time they need her.
We have two wonderful counselors, and
we have three great members of our per-
formance measures team, and they are all
passionately committed to helping our par-
ticipants. They work every day to make
sure our participants are called to be
accountable, yet they still have com-passion for what each participant is
going through. And our staff makes
sure to be available at Criminal Court
dockets every day seeking new partici-
pants in an effort to reach more mem-
bers of our community who need us.
Our staff has done these things despite
the public adversity of our Drug Court
Judge, and despite the fact that each
one of them has had personal health
related adversity of their own. I am so
proud of our Drug Court Staff!
If there were to be a message for
our readers, I think the best and most
important message would be: hire and
surround yourself with great, commit-ted, passionate people, but make sure
that you have a system that transcends
any outstanding individual. There
must be a way to carry on in the event
of the demise, retirement, or inability
of anyone to continue to serve in their
capacity. There must be a plan to han
the loss of any member of the team, ev
the Drug Court Judge. Another conce
how to handle public scrutiny and the
We have chosen (and I think we have c
sen wisely) to simply try to attract as l
attention as possible. We have not don
press releases that we are still up and r
ning, or that we have another graduate
anything else. We are just trying keep
going so that when the media's scrutin
our former Drug Court Judge has comp
ly died down, we will be able to say thhave continued, we have survived, and
have helped so many graduates save th
lives from the hell of addiction. In sho
now is probably not the time for a med
campaign to tell our co
munity about Drug Co
It could really back
right now in our local
I can say that I am so v
excited to have discove
that our Governor has
mitted to Drug Courts as part of his Sa
Action Plan. This will go a long way
toward helping all of us overcome adv
and it will help us keep Drug Courts av
able to those in need of our help.This article has not been easy. I ca
say that our success is guaranteed to co
ue. I don't know for sure how our stor
end. But I can say that our staff has co
ued to "throw the starfish back into the
tide", against the odds and in spite of h
difficult and scary it has been. I am pr
of how well they have done!
How did George Washington's dog
up after crossing the Delaware? Well,
have to read my (I mean my son's) 9th
grade English story! But let's just say
General Washington's dog sniffed out t
enemy and overcame adversity!
T A D C
E
V
E
N
T
S
Mark YouCalendar
TADCP 2nd AnnuDay on the Hi
February 19, 2013
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noo
Capitol Hill
Nashville, Tennessee
Our director continues
to give me reasons for hope,
especially when I see him
interact with a participant.
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ge 2 Tennessee Association of Drug Court Profession
CEUs, and CLEs pending approval
DEVELOPING A MEDIA POLICBY MARY SCHNEIDER, LAPSW
ery drug court should have a media
y developed BEFORE it is needed.
ortunately, many of us have had bad
gs happen in our programs that the
s could publicize. But we also have
things happening in our programswe want the press to publicize. This
le will give drug courts some guide-
to use when developing their media
y. This information is from the
onal Association of Drug Court
essionals Crisis Preparedness Manual
was shared during a workshop in
leston, S.C. in February, 2002.
Media Relations
esignate a spokesperson, whether it isjudge or your program coordinator.
all members of your team know that if
are contacted by the press, they
ld refer them to your designated
esperson. No one should speak to
ress about a drug court issue unless it
e designated spokesperson.
e spokesperson for your program
ld develop a relationship with local
a. Know who the contacts are at
resource. Keep them informed of
is happening with your drug court.
n a quote or comment is requested,
onest. Always return phone calls.
se remember: There is no such thing
ff the record!"
When Working
With The Press
* Don't speculate on the
cause of the situation,
monetary value of loss,
resumption of normal
operation, or blame for the
situation.
* Don't flatly refuse information.
Always give a good reason why informa-
tion is not available.
* Do not overact or exaggerate a situa-
tion. And most important - do not answer
hypothetical questions.
* Do not repeat negative or inflammato-
ry words used by the reporter. You could
be quoted. Always start with a construc-
tive, positive position.
* Do not be afraid to pause for a
moment to gather your thoughts. If youare not satisfied with your answer, simply
say, "I haven't made myself as clear as I
would like"...and begin again.
* Don't feel obligated to answer a mul-
tiple-part question. You choose the part
you want to answer.
* Don't make off-the-record statements.
There is no such thing.
* When using technical terms, follow
with a clear and simple explanation.
* Let a medical doctor or hospital sup-
ply information on a person's injuries, not
you.
* Don't ask to see a reporter's story but
if you feel a reporter is misinformed, con-
tact the reporter at once and make a clari-
fication.
* Don't jeopardize safety. Advise
reporters if dangerous conditions prevaat or near a site. Make it clear you are
trying to ensure their safety. Be vigila
* Do know to whom you are speakin
Get their name and telephone number.
* Rely only on facts. Do not specul
Offer only verified information approv
for release.
* Tell your story quickly, openly, anhonestly to allay suspicion and rumors
Speed is all-important. All reporters h
deadlines.
* Report your own bad news. If the
media has to dig, they may decide you
guilty.
* Be accessible to the media so they
will not go to other sources for your
news.
* Avoid "no comment". It leads to
speculation. Say, "I don't know" if yo
not have an answer. Then get the answ
and contact the reporter.
* Keep your composure even if a
reporter gets "snappy".
* Speak with one voice via designat
spokespersons.
* Provide sufficient evidence for all
statements you make.
* Record events as they occur, so yo
can later present your side of the story
necessary.
* Be alert about photographs. You c
control photographs taken outside you
area of jurisdiction, but you have every
right to control photos taken on govern
ment property.
Please remember:
There is no such thing as
off the record!
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ge 3 Tennessee Association of Drug Court Profession
ENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS AWARDC. BRAD PRICE WITH CHRISTY VERNON SPIRIT AWARD
uring opening ceremonies at
DCPs 8th annual drug court pro-
onal conference, held at the
bassy Suites infreesboro, TN,
rad Price, Drug
rt Director for
31st Judicial
rict Drug Court
gram was pre-
ed with the
sty Vernon
it Award. Presenting Mr. Price
the award was Honorable LarryStanley, Jr., Drug Court Judge for
31st Judicial District Drug Court.
every TADCP conference the
sty Vernon Spirit Award is pre-
ed from TADCPs members nom-
inees for recognition of his/her service
to drug courts. Christy Vernon was a
grant program manager for the Office
of CriminalJustice Programs
who tragically lost
her life in a traffic
accident, but not
before making a
significant impres-
sion on the people
she met. In memo-
ry of Christy Vernon, the TADCP
members vote on one person everyyear who shows the same exuberant
attitude for the advancement of Drug
Courts in Tennessee.
This years recipient is the Director
of the 31st Judicial District Drug
Court Program and Treasurer for th
TADCP. Mr. Price continues to exe
plify a servant/leader for the Drug
Court Program and the TennesseeAssociation of Drug Court
Professionals. I am very humbled
and honored to receive this award
stated Mr. Price, when presented w
his plaque. To be able to be assoc
ed with such a worthwhile organiza
tion and professional individuals, i
truly a blessing, Mr. Price remarke
during his acceptance speech.
To be able to be associatedwith such a worthwhile organiza-tion and professional individuals,is truly a blessing, Mr. Priceremarked during his acceptance
speech.
ENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS (TADC
HOST 8TH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCEADCP held its annual state confer- in Murfreesboro, TN at the
bassy suites on December 5, 6,
7th, 2012. Individuals associated
treating addiction and drug court
onnel attended this informative
erence.
peakers from across the United
es had presentations on the most
ated research on addiction, men-
ealth, latest drug abuse trends
ennessee, team building, and
h more. The TADCP members
ted their new board members to
e for 2103. The 23rd Judicial
rict Drug Court had a Drug
rt graduation ceremony on the
night of the conference along
the awarding of the Christy Spirit
ard to C. Brad Price. There werey vendors displaying the latest
technology from drug testing to
tracking offenders via (GPS) global
positioning systems.
During the three day conference,
attendees from across the state had a
chance to meet and network with
other drug court professionals. This
time of sharing information and learn-
ing what programs worked, and whatprograms did not work from other
drug court professionals was priceless.
Every year TADCP hosts a state
drug court conference. TADCP is a
to have these informative conferenc
because of TADCP membership
funds, and a grant from the
Department of Mental Health.
Without your TADCP membership
we would not be able to continue
every year with providing drug cou
professionals a chance to learn abo
assisting individuals with substance
abuse addictions.
TADCP membership is from
January 1st through December 31s
you have not already submitted you
membership dues for 2013, please
complete the membership form in o
newsletter. If you have never attend
a state drug court conference, pleas
make plans to attend the next confeence scheduled for December 10, 1
12, 2013, in Murfreesboro, TN.
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ge 4 Tennessee Association of Drug Court Profession
27TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DRUG COURT PROGRAM
CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARYelebration of the 10th anniver-
of operation of the 27th
cial District Drug Court, a
ption is planned for December2012
m 2 p.m.
p.m. in
Circuit
rtroom at
Obion
nty
rthouse.
drugrt pro-
m was
blished as
dult
ny post-
treat-
nt program with a goal of
ucing the drug related crime
within the counties it served.
Drug Court Team would con-
of the Judges, the District
orney, the Public Defender,
istant Public Defender, Westate
rections staff, a Program
luator from the University of
nessee, representatives from
l law enforcement and treat-
nt professionals. The first par-
pants were admitted to the pro-m in December, 2002.
st accepted participants are
uired to serve an initial period
ncarceration. Upon release
m jail they will then receive
nsive out-patient treatment by
nsed professionals, intensive
ervision, frequent drug screens
are required to make a weeklyearance in court. Applicants
rged with a violent offense or
who have a history of violence are
not considered eligible for the pro-
gram. The average time required
to complete the program is 22months. The pri-
mary drug of
choice among the
participants is
methampheta-
mine.
Prescription drug
addiction is also
prevalent amongthose accepted to
the program.
The percentage of
participants that
successfully com-
plete the program
is 48%. The average recidivism
rate, both nationally and locally is
25% among individuals who com-
plete Drug Court.
Two hundred seventy seven men
and women have been admitted to
the drug court program since it
was organized
in 2002. The
27th Judicial
District Drug
Court program
was one of thefirst drug court
programs to be
awarded state
certification in
2008. In May
of this year, a
graduation cere-
mony was held in the Obion
County Circuit courtroom. Amongthis group of graduates was the
programs 100th graduate.
The current capacity of the Drug
Court program is 40 participants
The current cost to provide the
programs services is less than$10.00 per participant per day.
The cost of incarceration for a
felony inmate in the Tennessee
Department of Correction is
$65.00 per day. Funding for the
27th Judicial District Drug Cour
program is provided by state
grants, drug court and DUI treat
ment reserve funds, Obion and
Weakley county government, pa
ticipant fees and charitable cont
butions.
Each life that is changed from
addiction and committing crime
to become a contributing memb
of society as
result of wha
we are doing
collectively i
cause for cel
bration. Thepublic is invi
to join the
members of
drug court te
as well as m
of our gradu
ates as we ce
brate the 10th anniversary of the
Drug Court program since itsestablishment in the 27th Judicia
District.
The percentage of
participants that
successfully complete
the program is 48%.
Drug Court Team Members: (Front Row, left to right) Lourie
Coupe, Counselor; Veronica Thornton, Program Coordinator;
Dr. Deborah Gibson, Program Evaluator; Sue Moore, Case
Officer; (Back Row, left to right) Michael Walton, Case
Officer; Judge William Acree, Circuit Court Judge; Tommy
Thomas, District Attorney; Judge Tommy Moore, Weakley
County General Sessions Judge; Joe Atnip, Public Defender;
Judge Jimmy Smith, Obion County General Sessions Judge;
(not pictured) Colin Johnson, Assistant District Attorney
Drug Court Judges: (Left to right) Weakley County General
Sessions Judge Tommy Moore; 27th Judicial District Circuit
Court Judge William Acree; Obion County General Sessions
Judge Jimmy Smith
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ge 5 Tennessee Association of Drug Court Profession
THEPRESIDENTS
CORNE
TADCP MEMBERSENJOY..
BY MARY SCHNEIDER
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNIT(NAADAC AND CLE)
ANNUAL TADCP CONFERENCE
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
REPRESENTATION THROUGH THETADCP LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
FREE AND DISCOUNTED TRAINING OPPORTUNIT
Welcome to 2013! A New Year and n
leadership for TADCP! I want to thank Tra
Bryant for agreeing to serve as Vice Presid
and Kevin Batts for remaining on the bo
Kevin has done a wonderful job as
President this past year...thank you Kevin!
The first item on my agenda is to update
website. As the association representing d
court professionals in Tennessee, it is imp
tant that our website keep you informed of a
thing affecting your programs. It is a
important that we offer training on our site
new team members and continuing educatfor current team members. Keeping you upd
ed on resources that DMHSAS is offering
drug courts will also be on our site. We h
to offer discussion forums for you to
answers or ideas from your peers who h
also had those same questions or ide
Hopefully, it will be a website that you will
and refer to often.
We are already planning our next TAD
On The Hill for February 19th. There is
article about this elsewhere in this newsle
It is very important that we continue to educ
our legislators about drug courts and make
presence known to them.
Finally, we have already signed the cont
with Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro for
next conference. This will be held Decem
11th through the 13th. Planning will be st
ing on this immediately. I only hope we
outdo the conference this year!
I hope it will be an exciting year for TAD
and it's members. Please feel free to con
any of your board members with your ide
questions, needs and wants.
Thank y
Mary Schneider, LAP
EVENTH YEAR OF HAMILTON COUNTY DRUGCOURT SEES LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS
ne wore a cap and gown, but the nine
e in drug court Monday received a piece
per maybe more important than a diplomadrug court grad-
n certificate. The
p is the largest
uating class yet
e 7-year-old
ilton County
Court, said
e Kelly, program
dinator. "We
ion on a shoestring budget every day, and
act that people keep coming back and
g this work, it's not just a blessing. It's a
privilege," Kelly said. "And seven years,ever thought we'd get here."
e program is funded through grants,
wed each year, she said. Seventy-six peo-
ave graduated from drug court since it
n in 2005. Participants have paid $97,293
urt fees and fines and more than $30,000
ild support payments, according to pro-
data. Program participants must work or
rm community service. Last year they did
than 1,000 hours of community service.
must complete a minimum of 14 months
hich they attend group meetings, commu-e with a sponsor and are subjected to
ned and surprise drug tests.
trina Shell explained how far she had
to the packed courtroom. "I've got a car,
a scooter, my own place, an evil cat," she said.
When on drugs and living on the street she
wouldn't acquire things, for fear they'd betaken away.
Brittney Land and Corey
Gilbert, both 29, met while in
drug court. Both graduated
Monday. They have a 7-month-
old daughter, Alyssa Land.
Mostly, participants are discour-
aged from starting relationships
while in recovery, but Land said
that she and Gilbert supported each other and
will continue to do so.
Sponsor Tony Lyons, 29, who worked with
two of the current graduates, said giving backas a sponsor helps motivate him and remind
him about his life before becoming sober.
We function on a shoestring
budget every day, and the fact
that people keep coming back and
doing this work, its not just a
blessing Kelly said. And seven
years, we never thought wed get
here.
Catrina Shell hugs Judge Rebecca Stern upon receiving
her diploma during Drug Court graduation
AKE LOCKERT, RICK TAYLOR, AND KEVIN BATTSLEAD DISCUSSION AT LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
TADCP Members Jake Lockert, Rick Taylor, and
Kevin Batts led a discussion of "Ethical
Considerations in Drug Court" at Lipscomb
University in November. The attorneys discussed the
ethical decisions facing lawyers who also serve as
Drug Court team members during the applicationprocess, staffing, court proceedings, and the determi-
nation of sanctions.
Lipscomb University has recently added a course
on "Problem Solving Courts", which exemplifies the
University's commitment to teaching future lawyers
about alternatives to the traditional judicial process.
Lipscomb students are encouraged to visit Drug
Courts, and some have served as Interns for local
Drug Courts and TADCP.
The course instructor, Circuit Court Judge Tim
Easter of Franklin, is a TADCP member. Judge
Easter serves as the Drug Court Judge for the 21st
Judicial District. Jake Lockert is the District Public
Defender for the 23rd Judicial District, Rick Tayloris Assistant Public Defender for the 23rd Judicial
District, and Kevin Batts is the Drug Court
Coordinator for the 23rd Judicial District.
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ge 6 Tennessee Association of Drug Court Profession
TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF DRUG COURT PROFESSIONALS
one-year membership to TADCP is $25 per person. An organizational membership from 1/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 is $200 for 2-10 membeand $10 for each additional member greater than 10. Please make checks payable to TADCP.
Is this application for an individual membership or orgranizational membership? Individual Organizational
Please specify the membership organization_______________________________________________________
mary contact person
e
nization
Drug Court
Mailing Address
City, State, ZIP
Phone Number
Fax Number
E-Mail Address
MEMBERSHIPAPPLICATION
A Publication by the
O. Box 639Minnville, TN 37111
C O M P U T E RTR
A
I
N
I
N
G
New Horizons Nashville has
pricing set up with TADCP forcomputer training.
The following prices are for TADCPmembers:
Access - $88 per level per student
Word - $58 per level per student
Excel - $68 per level per student
OLA Access - $67 per user forOnline Anytime
Feel free to call or email for anyadditional information:
Ph: 615-850-5919Fax: 615-251-6925
Email: [email protected]
TADCP TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL DAY ON THE HILL
FEBRUARY 19TH 9:00 AM TO 12:00 NOONADCP will be hosting their 2nd
ual Day on The Hill on Tuesday,
uary 19th from 9:00 am until
0 noon. This is a wonderfulortunity to visit your legislators
tell them how great your Drug
rt, DUI Court, Mental Health
rt and all specialty courts are! We
have two tables set up by the
committee meeting rooms, right by
the cafeteria. We will be offering
refreshments all morning to the legis-
lators along with information aboutthe success of our courts. It is impor-
tant that we maintain a presence with
our representatives and keep them
knowledgeable about what we are
doing. If you have new representa-
tives this year, it is even that more
important to meet with them and te
them about drug courts. We had a
pretty good turn out last year andwould like to see even more of you
participate. Thanks to the committ
Mary Schneider, Jeri Holladay-
Thomas and Marianne Schroer.