Hardeman Co. implements Drug Court program to treat addicts
[gtxvideo vid=”cyvKZtD7″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/cyvKZtD7.jpg” vtitle=”Former Addict Becomes Mentor”]
BOLIVAR, Tenn. — When caught with drugs, a door closes for addicts. That is no longer the case for some in Hardeman County who will now be given a second chance. “We can’t send people to jail and expect them to get better,” Steve Robinson said. “They are not getting the things they need while they are in there.” Robinson is the new director of the Hardeman County Drug Court program. Robinson says through personal experiences and through others’ experiences he has seen the power of addiction take over the county. “I don’t know of anyone anywhere in this county that has not be affected by substance abuse,” Robinson said. “It’s not a battle — it’s a war.” Robinson says the program is designed for nonviolent offenders who must volunteer for the drug court. During the 48-week program, participants will be subject to random drug tests, attend counseling and must have a diploma or work to get their GED. The plan to create a drug court in Hardeman County came from one that was put in place in Jackson City Court. Ashley Davis is one of the successes who have come from the Jackson program. “It helped me a lot. I never thought it would help me as much as it did,” Davis said. “The treatment and going through the process of drug court helped me.” Davis says her addiction started when she was 17. Now she is 32, and she currently works as peer coordinator for Lifeline. She now tells her story to whoever listens to help fight the addiction disease.
