By Stephen Smoot
Since 2011, the South Branch Drug Court has served the judicial circuit that encompasses Pendleton, Hardy, and Hampshire counties.
As Judge H. Charles Carl noted “much has been accomplished.”
In its lifetime, the South Branch Drug Court accepted 262 individuals and has seen 118 graduate for a success rate of nearly 50 percent. Even more impressive, the recidivism rate (those who reoffend) for graduates from South Branch is slightly less than seven percent. Almost 30 percent of those who do not take part in drug court reoffend.
Late last month, the South Branch Drug Court held a celebration to mark their rebranding as the South Branch Adult Treatment Court. As Carl explained, the purpose behind the rebranding includes “destigmatizing” drug recovery and treatment, while also better describing the mission.
A number of graduates, families, and community supporters of the new South Branch Adult Treatment Court gathered just outside of Taggart Hall in Romney. On the tree shaded lawn, chairs under large tents faced a gazebo from which those present would hear speakers share their experiences.
In an almost symbolic fashion, to the backs of attendees across the street stood the Hampshire County Judicial Building where some had finally faced the consequences of years of drug addiction and related behaviors.
Their past as part of the criminal justice system lay behind; the bright skies of a sunny and brighter future lay to their front.
Adele Lavigne, a long time part of the organization, introduced each speaker who came to courageously share their drug recovery stories and successes.
She first told attendees about James Barker. He opened by saying, “Change is a part of life and it can be daunting and rewarding.”
Barker then shared from his 22 years of battling addictions that started with alcohol and marijuana at age 12, cocaine by 14, then hallucinogens, amphetamines, and opiates, “an unparalleled level of dependency,” he said.
He started drug court about the same time as it commenced helping local residents whose drug addiction served as part of their motivation to commit crimes. Drug court led him away from being controlled by his addiction and toward a GED, followed by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2018 and a masters in social work two years ago.
Barker now works as a case manager and clinical therapist for Home Base. He shared that “I find this work extremely rewarding.” He closed with “we are proof that recovery can happen and that change is possible.”
In a half moon shaped ring at the front of the group sat multicolored paper bags. Each bag carried the name of a graduate. White bags added “In Memory of” as an indication that their life’s struggles had ended.
The bags served as a reminder of how many people had benefited from the support of the judges, staff, and others working with the former drug court. Speakers expressed the desire to see the day when the whole yard would be filled with bags, each a success story.
Another such success story came in the person of a woman described by Lavigne as “truly remarkable” and “a great role model,” Susan Kesner.
Kesner speaks often at drug court graduations, her story an inspiring one to those even in the worst throes of addiction. “It is an honor to be here and share my story,” she stated.
She admitted to first using drugs at the age of nine and explained that “children have all kinds of ideas of what they want to be when they grow up. No one chooses addiction.” Drugs .helped the young Kesner to mentally escape and, temporarily, forget a life of childhood trauma. He progression started with marijuana, then cocaine, pain pills, and heroin.
“It’s all fun and games until it’s not anymore,” she shared.
Kesner knew that she had to change when she saw “my two beautiful children going down the same path.” Her daughter died at 22 and her son ended up incarcerated. “There’s no drug that will help that pain,” she explained. She also bore the physical pain of a chronic arm infection that ate away her tissues to the point that it exposed the bone.
In 2021, she was arrested and introduced to drug court. Kesner admitted that “I was skeptical, but I’d never had any kind of treatment before.” Drug treatment led to a better mindset and also surgeries to repair her arm. Though difficult, she consoled herself by regarding the examples of friends who succeeded in drug court and treatment, saying to herself, “If they can do it, I can too.”
“I have the most gratitude ever” for drug court, she said, adding, “I’m loving life. I’m actually living life.”
Lavigne said after Kesner finished, “these are wonderful, wonderful people who have been through hell and back . . . I love them like my own kids.”
Derek Stuart rose next to share his story, wearing a T shirt emblazoned with “I am one of ‘those people.’” He said first “without this program, there’s no way I’d be where I am today.”
At 17, Stuart concluded that “meth was the only thing that mattered in my life.” He believed at first that drug abuse helped him to better deal with his schizophrenia, but found that over time, it made the symptoms worse. Also, “being irresponsible was a big part of my life,” even through his first experiences with drug court.
“I never thought recovery was possible,” Stuart stated.
Support from the court made the difference. He also shared that “Phoenix House helped me a lot.” Stuart learned that “recovery is a 24/7 job. I can’t take a day off.” He still attends meetings and seeks out opportunities to continue “being of service.” He now works for Day Report.
Finally, Miranda Filius came to the front. She helped to organize the event and also greeted attendees when they arrived. Filius presented an image of assured professionalism, right down to a stylish dress and hairstyle, but admitted “eight and a half years ago, I was a shell of a person.”
She added, “I was a manipulating robber who would do anything to feed my addiction.”
After a second degree robbery conviction, she entered Staggers Recovery House, then the drug court program. Filius stated that none of her past was used against her, but “they saw through the mask I was wearing.” She shared that “everybody always judged me from the outside” and that she could not even place trust in family.
In 2021, her recovery had proved so successful that she accepted a job working with the former drug, now adult treatment court. She will soon earn her bachelors in criminal justice.
“I dreamed for this life and didn’t think it could happen,” she said.
