Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 February 2000 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4,2000

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When wi- < clobr.ito Black History Month, wn .Hi n t just celebrating the past. We re recognizing and honoring the ongoing achievements and contributions ot African Americans of yesterday, today and tomorrow At Burger King Corporation we show oui support not only during Black History Month but throughout the yc nr in our restaurants, our offices and oui neighborhoods. We to proud to be the creators of pioginms designed to stimulate development of minority businesses. To help at nsk youth stay in school. To pinvide franchise and employment oppoi tunities for people in the co mmunity. Burger King Corporation firmly believes that Black History should never be a thing of the past.

to live a productive life,” said Judge Jimision. With this theory in mind and more importantly in heart, a dedicated Wilson gave the program and herself another chance. This week Wilson and 10 others were the first graduates from the program. “The program was hard as hell, but I was determined to seek help,” she said. “It also helped that I sit down and shut up. Previously I focused on the failed efforts I made. I finally listened to the people who were trying to help me. The program saved my life.” The deferred prosecution program involves the Marion County Drug Court, Marion County prosecutor, Marion County public defender and Fairbanks Hospital. Offenders can be referred to the program by the prosecutor, attorneys, counselors, clergy or police as long as they don't have violence or drug dealing charges in their past. Program participation is voluntary, and the offender can choose to have the case prosecuted in a normal manner at anytime. Program Coordinator Mary Cunningham believes the program is special because it focuses on individuals’ needs, which is non-traditional in a court system. “Each branch of the program has to make some sort of compromise for the benefit of the client and the overall success of the program," said Cunningham. “It’s a long and intense program. It takes teamwork. We want the client to recover from the addiction and gain skills that will last a lifetime.” Once the prosecutor allows a person into the program, he or she meets with case managers and counselors to devise a plan to stay off drugs and out of trouble. Sometimes, that means job training, moving away from bad influences, anger control classes

DRUG Continued from At and other services. After a series of court hearings to determine offender eligibility, there is an orientation to the program. The program provides treatment through education, counseling services and self-help support groups and lasts anywhere between 12 to 18 months, ranging on an individual’s progress. The rigorous three-phase and 48-. session progressive treatment program begins at Fairbanks

Hospital.

“These people’s lives have brought them a lot of experiences that have lessened their self value and destroyed their being,” said Jeanette Grissom, a program counselor at Fairbanks. “A lot of times when people join the program they have hit rock bottom. This program helps them recapture their lives.” Participants are required to attend sessions three times a week during phase one, which consists of participant assess- • ment, detoxification, education and stabilization. It is the hardest phase. The sessions decrease to every other week once a person reaches the second level, which provides more focused therapy. Phase three or the “aftercare stage” consists of outpatient sessions, weekly drug testing and monthly court sessions. After completing the program, participants must remain substance free a minimum of 180 davs orior to graduation and having their charges dropped. “This program is tough,” said Judge Jimision, who makes weekly appearances to report on participant progress and rule compliance.” She also offers encouragement. “Participants are under such scrutiny and held liable, but in the end it pays off.” Graduates leave the program with a relapse prevention plan, a 12-step foundation, a self-help support system and their selfrespect that is invaluable to ‘ ‘ . 1 • * ...... r '• • • ■ ♦

Wilson. She has been drug-free for over a year and is working as a housekeeper at Day’s Inn. It’s her first job in 10 years. “I’m a totally different person,” she said. “I have to * reason to live. I owe my happiness, my joy and finding myself, to the program. I would’ve died • out there. The program saved my

life.”

According to Jimision, the . program’s benefits expand far , beyond Wilson, other program . graduates and the 70 other offenders who are currently participating in the program. “If you aren’t concerned with helping people who are addicted to drugs, be selfish and concern yourself with the way your money is being spent,” she said. “We should all be concerned with drug addiction because it impacts us all,” she said. “Eleven people are affected by the life and actions of one drug addict. It affects us all. “We need this community to buy into this program,” said Jimision. “We need a separate source of revenue if we are going to provide treatment to everyone who wants and needs it.” Limited by court funding, the court system is currently creating a not-for-profit organization that would allow communities and organizations to donate money to the program as a tax write-off. Coordinators would also like to provide counseling for the children of addicts. “People should really give it a chance,” Wilson said. “If it can work for me, it can work for anybody. I didn’t think I could live a day without crack, but I’ve made it this far and plan on continuing on. If you have a problem you have to give it a try. You owe it to yourself.” For more information about the program, contact program coordinator Mary Kay Cunningham at 327-4959. if. -: * »l • ^ u i . v #

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