[The following is an open letter to the Sullivan County Drug Court written by Bazely B., a participant in the court’s assistance and oversight program.]

When I started in this program, I had nothing. I had no self-respect, I was homeless. I did not know what to expect out of the program. I was scared and afraid from the negative stories that were told about drug court. But after coming to drug court, I learned to just do me and learn to work on self, because I was confused and messed up. I was being kicked out of my house and had nowhere to live or any money to eat. But putting my best foot forward and being responsible by keeping all my appointments and honest with people who wanted to help me in the program I beat the pavement and worked on self every day to make a difference in my life—because I did not and don’t want to return to the life I used to live. Because if I continue on that path, I know I would end up in jail or even dead. Plus I know if I go backward, there’s a heavy price to pay while being in drug court.

Today I have a place to live and am off support from DSS [Department of Social Services] with a wonderful job that I love to do. I also continue to go to meetings four to five days a week, plus I speak at the Recovery Center and R.C. Ward [Addiction Treatment Center] to share my strength and hope to help another sick and suffering addicts. I learned how to be honest, responsible, caring, helping others on a regular basis, which also keeps me grounded in my recovery one day at a time.

I have other goals that I would like to achieve. I want to go back to school get my CASAC [Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor] and hopefully own my own mechanic’s shop one day and my own house. I know the only way that I am going to achieve these goals is to continue on the right path and also take suggestions on a regular basis. See, I learned sometimes I have to stay quiet and listen to others. Because I used to think I knew it all.

But I found out, being in recovery, one is never too old to learn. I want to thank the treatment team for helping me accomplish my goals that I have completed so far. I also want to thank Judge LaBuda for giving me this chance to prove that I can change my life by doing what’s best for me and staying in recovery. Because, without this program, I could end up with a new address and a new outfit for the rest of my life. I have a long way to go, but with me on the right path and loving me first, there is nothing I can’t do.

[Note: May marks National Drug Court Month. Today, 25 years after the nation’s first drug court was launched in Miami, FL, there are more than 2,849 drug courts nationwide, treating 142,000 drug-addicted individuals a year. Since 1989, these courts have saved over 1.3 million lives and millions of tax dollars (NADCP, 2013). Since 2003, when Sullivan County became one of the first counties in the New York State to have a drug court, 110 program participants have successfully graduated under the supervision of Judge Frank LaBuda and a team of trained representatives from the offices of the district attorney, probation, community services, social services and from the Recovery Center. Recently, the court also has assisted veterans of the U.S. armed services through the Vetrak program not only with substance abuse issues, but also veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since their establishment, drug courts have sparked a fundamental change in how American justice responds when a drug addict or alcoholic commits a non-violent crime.]