Screenshot Drug/Sobriety Court graduate Sarah Doutree shares an elbow-bump with Judge Parks at Monday’s graduation ceremony.

ESCANABA — The Delta County District Drug/Sobriety Court celebrated the graduation of five participants Monday night, bringing the total number successful program graduations to 17. The graduates include Mike Bizeau, Sarah Doutree, Kasey Rudden-Stoerck, Karl Schmidt, and Zach Tryan.

The drug/sobriety court was instituted in 2016 by Delta County District Court Judge Steven C. Parks in conjunction a multi-disciplinary team that includes members of the legal system, law enforcement and social work. Parks said he was inspired back when he was a prosecutor working with then Delta County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Davis. He and Davis had many conversations about finding a better solution than jail for those struggling with addiction who often ended up in the “revolving door” of the court system.

“You can hear the cash register going ‘ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching’,” Parks said, adding that for every one dollar invested in the drug/sobriety court system, three public dollars are saved.

When Parks became a judge himself, he began assembling the team that would comprise the 94th District Drug/Sobriety Court. He cites its multi-disciplinary nature as a major factor in its success, including people like Case Managers Jeana LaCarte and County Administrators Emily DeSalvo — a former probation officer with drug court experience.

Parks emphasized that far from being a free pass, drug court presents high risk/high need candidates with a rigorous challenge, but a life-changing opportunity. And the stakes, he points out, are high.

While participants are given appropriate jail sentences, those sentences are suspended while they are in the program, pending successful completion. Those discharged for non-compliance are returned to the courts to serve all or some of their sentences. Such sentences vary depending upon the charge and the court. While the maximum incarceration term for district court is one year, those in the program with felony charges from circuit court may face prison time if they don’t graduate.

In addition to frequent drug testing and counseling, the rigorous process of instilling the necessary life skills includes community supervision. This is done through community supervision officers, aka probation officers.

The success of drug court is strongly tied to the community team approach that includes guidance from these officers. Supervisors not only respond to infractions, but use real-life experiences as teachable moments. Community supervision officers also get to catch — and reward — participants for doing things right.

“If they turn their lives around, in the long run that benefits the community because they are not out there re-offending,” said Parks of program participants.

Studies such as the Michigan’s Sobriety Courts Recidivism Analysis point to a clear connection between graduates of drug court programs and a significant reduction in relapse. Parks agrees noting not only are graduates much less likely to reuse, they are less likely to gravitate toward committing any future crimes.

According to LaCarte, when participants don’t make it through the program, it is not always due to reuse. Participants can be expelled for behaviors detrimental to maintaining sobriety. For example, continuing former associations with known users is against the rules, as it puts participants at significant risk of relapse.

LaCarte said the program is a big adjustment for most participants because they have never had to be accountable. Those enrolled are given curfews, participate in an average of three self-help meetings a week, undergo counseling as directed and refrain from social media and contact with felons. They are also required to call in daily to find out if they will be taking one of three-to-five weekly drug tests.

Parks said a common misconception about drug/sobriety court is only participants who never relapse can graduate. If a positive drug test is an isolated incident, team members confer with counselors on the treatment side. As a result treatment may be increased and community service may be assigned. Determinations such as the severity of sanctions for broken rules are made by the team on a case-by-case basis.

Though a relapse while in the program does not automatically mean expulsion, Parks also emphasized nothing is given to those enrolled. The program is so rigorous that some who are offered the opportunity turn it down, choosing jail time instead. Further proof, Parks said, that for life-changing behaviors to develop, hard-earned lessons must be fought for by the participants.

“What’s really remarkable when we have these graduations. After serious problems, graduates now have months of sobriety under them. It’s an enormous achievement,” said Parks.