Ceremony honors Drug Court grads

Fulton County program has had 110 graduates in its 10 years

By RICHARD NILSEN, The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN — Sandra Anderson was in the Fulton County Courthouse Wednesday appearing before Judge Richard Giardino with her arresting officer to receive her just desserts — a certificate of graduation.

Anderson was one of five graduates of Fulton County Drug Court’s spring session and one of 110 graduates of the program since it began a decade ago.

“It was a very good thing for me,” Anderson said. “[Drug Court] helped me in all aspects.”

Anderson has had nearly three years of sobriety since entering the program after being arrested in connection with crack cocaine use. She said the alternative to incarceration was supportive in many ways.

“I was happy listening to my counselors,” Anderson said. “It really helped having someone to talk to.”

Along with the five graduates from the spring session, many previous Drug Court graduates were on hand to receive certificates for various periods of sobriety. They ranged in age from a grandmother to an adolescent looking forward to college since going through Drug Court.

Anderson was the only graduate Wednesday who agreed to have her picture taken and be identified.

Fulton County Drug Court Resource Coordinator Sara Luck said the program wasn’t easy and many don’t make it through to graduation.

“They have to change everything in their lives,” Luck said. “People, places and things all are different. It’s a new life.”

Luck said many drug users have never been shown another way than addiction and abuse. She also said they need a motivation for recovery.

“I assess people from the [Fulton County district attorney’s office] who are referred to me for an assessment to see if they want to change,” Luck said. “It’s not easy.”

Luck said Drug Court participants come from all age brackets and all economic levels.

“This program isn’t just to avoid jail,” Luck said. “Graduates have bought homes.”

Giardino said all participants had full-time jobs.

Luck said people are eligible for participation in Drug Court if they have been convicted of a non-violent drug- or alcohol-related crime. Anyone with a past history of drug sales, sexual offenses or violent crimes are ineligible, she said.

Anderson was among the graduates on hand who presented gifts to the Mental Health Association of Fulton and Montgomery Counties’ Handy Ups and Downs program and the local arm of the Salvation Army in appreciation for their newfound sobriety.

Fourth Judicial District Executive Sherry Barnum said the Fulton County Drug Court was the first in the district when it started, and now there are 27 drug courts in the district. She said there are 569 participants currently in the program, and better than 50 percent of participants make it to graduation.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Barnum said.

Luck said there have been 110 graduates out of 246 participants in the 10 years of the local program.

Giardino admitted the program doesn’t work for everyone.

“It’s not easy to kick a habit you’ve had for years,” he said.

Anderson credited her “whole team” of counselors, probation and other support personnel who helped her along the way.



Richard Nilsen is a general assignment reporter and can be reached at ga@leaderherald.com.