Miami County Second Chance Drug Court Celebrates 25 years

By Kathleen Leese

For Miami Valley Today

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of two articles celebrating the 25th anniversary of Miami County Second Chance Drug Court. The second article will appear in Miami Valley Today (MVT) on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The Miami Valley Second Chance Drug Court (MCSCDC) is a place for new beginnings for those battling addiction, and for those who enter the program, it means a chance to start over and live a meaningful life. This year, MCSCDC is celebrating its 25th anniversary in a big way, including a celebration that will focus on the success of its alumni.

MCSCDC participants are chosen through a process that includes a court recommendation that the participant be assessed for Second Chance Drug Court. The participant has to do a substance abuse assessment to ensure their primary issue is substance. Probation officers will complete a Drug Court assessment to determine whether they are appropriate and willing to do the program. Participants can be asked prior to sentencing to be a part of the program, and their attorneys can sometimes ask that they be included in the program.

Each of the six members of the MCSCDC team told MVT about their roles in the special docket court and why it matters to them.

Miami County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeannine Pratt, who oversees the specialized drug court docket, noted that in 2022, the name of the drug court was changed to “Second Chance Drug Court: to promote the core principles of the docket: rehabilitation and the gift of second chances.”

Pratt explained, “Drug Court judges are required to complete six hours of special docket education within 12 months of assuming a specialized docket, pursuant to the Ohio Superintendence Rules. It is also suggested that new judges observe the current existing docket before presiding over it or visit and observe other local courts who have similar specialized dockets.”

“This allows specialized docket judges to more completely understand the process, procedures, rights of the participants, ethical considerations and impact a judge can have on participants.”

Pratt noted that in MCSCDC they are still dealing with the Opiate/Fentanyl epidemic, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine are also trending drugs at this time…”We have participants in the program who have substance abuse issues with alcohol. They somewhat (have) a unique path within the court, and there is an emphasis on education and stability.”

MCSCDC “seek potential participants that are high risk/high need,” Pratt shared. “The studies show that individuals who are assessed as high risk/high need are the most successful with the drug court model.”

It takes approximately 12 to 18 months for an individual to complete the program, which includes three phases.

Pratt receives regular updates on participants in the program. “I receive daily, weekly or bi-weekly updates of the participants depending upon the needs of the participant and the level of intervention required.”

Some participants are not able to complete the program. “Even though not all participants can get through the program, it still leaves an impact on those individuals when they eventually want to get sober,” Pratt stated.

Many lives have been saved because of MCSCDC, Pratt noted.

“Thousands since the program’s inception. It says a lot about a program when it has touched so many people in the Miami County community over a quarter of a century, whether by direct participation, or families impacted by their addiction, or by breaking the cycle of addiction for future generations. It (MCSCDC) provides cost savings of approximately $7,000 per person by decreasing the jail population and by decreasing the cost to the community through a reduction in criminal activity.”

Pratt added, “graduates become productive members of our community by holding jobs, paying taxes, paying child support, etc. A person who can achieve long-term recovery prevents generational addiction. A program that has sustained itself for 25 years shows the buy-in from the public and stakeholders.”

“Judge Jeffrey Welbaum and Judge Chris Gee were the previous presiding judges of the court. I think they would tell you that they saw a need in the criminal justice system where the same persons were committing drug-related crimes on repeat and that continued incarceration of these individuals was not working. It became a revolving door, and a new approach was needed,” Pratt noted.

Adding a Peer Support Specialist is also providing a positive impact for participants.

“The peer support specialist models what long term recovery looks like because that person has walked in the same shoes as our participants.” Pratt explained that the peer support specialist offers support and connection while an alumni group is also available that helps with transition after graduation from the program.

Pratt pointed out that addiction is not a one-size-fits-all.

“It does not discriminate. There is hope out there. I would tell them they are not alone in this struggle. Our treatment team understands the challenges you face with addiction and is here to get you the help you need.”

Justin Lande is the Miami County Common Pleas Court Chief Probation Officer, having served in that position for the last five years. Lande supervises four probation officers as well as supervising clients. He provides guidance to officers and ensures they are following the policies and procedures. In addition to other responsibilities, he conducts training and participates in overdose awareness events.

As one of the probation coordinators for MCSCDC, Lande supervises clients in the drug court.

“I ensure they are compliant with the rules of supervision, which includes going to treatment, connecting them with treatment agencies and other resources such as Job and Family Services, dental and health care needs, and education services.”

Additionally, Lande uses cognitive behavioral interventions to teach them new skills to overcome thinking errors. “In doing this, I am able to help them overcome barriers in their lives. That is the most important part of my job is not doing these things for them, but showing and guiding them to the resources so that they become self-sufficient. If you can help change their thinking, then you can help change their lives.”

Lande addressed some of the biggest challenges facing participants in MCSCDC.

“We see issues with finding safe housing that can provide them with long-term stability. Transportation in Miami County is a huge hurdle. Our clients have to find rides to treatment, work and probation that is safe and affordable. Employment is also a challenge. Some of our clients have little to no work experience and combined with a criminal record, it is difficult to find something that is long-term.”

In addition, Lande also sees loss of hope as an issue. “I think that the biggest challenge that our clients face is the loss of hope. I have seen so many people come into Second Chance Drug Court with little to no hope left in their lives. Most have lost jobs, homes, families and themselves. I think helping them see that there is still so much to live for and that redemption is a possibility is the biggest challenge.”

There are many services available in Miami County to help clients in the program, Lande said.

“We are all familiar with each other and are able to reach out to connect our clients with the right services. Job and Family Services has programs that can help with rent and paying bills, and they can also help with employment. Our treatment providers in the county such as Brightview, Sunrise, Recovery and Wellness, and TCN provide substance abuse/mental health treatment. The sober living facilities we use help them find housing and then eventually find long-term stable housing.”

“I think all participants want to succeed in the program. I think we have some people who don’t believe in the process and will make it more difficult. They have to be willing to change, and I think when you take away drug use and that lifestyle, people don’t know who they are and that scares them.”

“I want our participants to be successful. I am rooting for them and know they are capable of so much more…watching some of them give up can be difficult,” Lande added.

Lande said he is honored to be part of the 25th anniversary of the MCSCDC. “I live in Miami County and have seen firsthand what drugs have done to this community and its people. We don’t just talk about doing something, we actually do it. I am appreciative to get to work with a team of people that care so much about saving lives and bettering people. It (is) truly something special when you see people who have completed Second Chance Drug Court in public and they are thriving. For me, the most rewarding thing is seeing that ‘second chance’ in motion.”

“This is a lifelong journey. The participants work very hard and will have to work the rest of their lives at this. This is a great program with a group of people who care about the betterment of our clients.”

Probation Officer Andrew Dodd works as a supervising officer for most of the Second Chance participants, which includes meeting with clients weekly early in the program to provide stability and direction.

“In our meetings, we talk about challenges they are facing, goals they are working towards, how treatment is going, and what sort of needs or issues we can address.”

Being able to overcome their addictions and behavioral patterns is the greatest challenge clients face, according to Dodd. “Many of these addictions and behavioral patterns go back many years and are hard to just stop doing.”

Dodd said the Second Chance program is designed to be more than punitive.

“Drug Court gives extra accountability for those who are high risk and high need. Some will see the additional accountability and structure as a punishment. However, when a client works through the program appropriately, they can find quite a bit of success in strengthening their recovery and finding a more stable foundation moving forward.”

“When dealing with clients in active addiction, simple things can become huge success stories,” Dodd explained, adding that opening a bank account after not having one for years because of bad decisions can be a big deal, as well as buying a new car. “Celebrating three months of sobriety when their longest period of sobriety over the last 20 years was one week” is also a cause for celebration.

Dodd is given a client’s background and history, and their past is factored to how they work with that client. Expectations for the clients are similar across the board. “We expect honesty and dedication to the program. Along with meeting with me weekly, clients attend Drug Court sessions twice a week, are to complete all their treatment appointments, provide multiple random drug screens a week and attend two Narcotics Anonymous (NA)/Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings a week.”

In addition to clients becoming more stable over time with employment and housing and in other areas of their lives, Dodd said they see them change their behaviors.

“We see them grow in their decision-making process as they begin to lean away from their old patterns of behavior. We also see clarity as they begin to realize that they could actually make these changes in their lives. Often, we get to see that hope grow in them.”

Benjamin Whitenack, a TCN chemical dependency counselor who supervises a team of peer recovery supporters, said no one thing leads to someone using or becoming addicted to substances.

“The factors that play into it can be biological, social/environmental, psychological, cultural, etc. It also cannot be explained exactly why some people use substances and develop a problem or addiction and why others do not.”

Whitenack added, “we do know that genetics can play a role in that if someone is closely related to a person with substance abuse issues, they may be more likely to also develop an issue, but this is only one factor in what leads to addiction.”

For Whitenack, the toughest part of his job is the struggle. “The hardest part of my job personally is seeing clients struggle because they do not believe they can be successful in recovery.” But he is also happy when they succeed. “The most satisfying part is seeing clients grow personally and start to become more independent in their recovery and the rest of their lives.”

Whitenack said a support system can be crucial. “The support from family, friends, others in recovery, the courts and probation or even the treatment team” can be very important. “Support is a key for many because often times people entering substance abuse treatment lack resources for and knowledge how to be successful and their support becomes a way for them to gain both of these.”

Whitenack noted that alcohol will “always be one of the biggest challenges in substance abuse treatment as its use is so widespread and it is socially acceptable.” But he added, “as far as illicit substances, opioids and stimulants are the substances we most typically address. There can be an ebb and flow as to which one is more prevalent at different times, but typically they are both always something we are dealing with.” Whitenack said treatment for substance abuse is individualized for each person, with the substance they use sometimes playing a role in the approach taken, but that is only one factor.

Like other members of the MCSCDC team, Whitenack is excited to be part of the 25th anniversary celebration. “It is amazing to be part of a program that not only does so much for individuals, but for the community as well. Drug Court provides people who may not have otherwise had one with a chance at a second chance. It provides the people who participate with resources, support and accountability so they can learn to maintain their new lives on their own.”

Jennifer Salinas, an Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) vocational rehabilitation counselor, said OOD is a statewide program that works with individuals with disabilities, including mental health, substance use disorder, physical, cognitive and communications limitations. She noted that OOD is available to all clients in the MCSCDC, helping those who struggle with maintaining or obtaining employment due to limitations from their disability.

Salinas said substance abuse and mental health disorders “are not always thought of as disabilities, which led OOD to develop partnerships with drug court dockets throughout the State to expand our efforts to work with these populations.” She added that the Second Chance Drug Court has partnered with OOD since 2019. “I am here to represent OOD and be a resource for the individuals on the docket who are trying to figure out their next moves when it comes to employment and/or a long-term career goal.”

Salinas explained that to be considered for OOD, the client must have a disability that makes it hard to get or keep a job. The person must also be able to benefit from OOD’s services and need them to obtain employment. “When I am given a referral from Second Chance Drug Court, I meet with the person and we talk about their goals. Some individuals may not have the support and they need employment right away versus other individuals may have all the support they need and can explore educational options.”

Among the providers that OOD works with are rehab technology, vocational evaluation, job readiness, job search assistance, job coaching, and job retention.

Like her fellow team members, Salinas said the hardest part of her job is when someone has lost hope. “The hardest part of what I do is meeting some individuals who have lost hope and feel they don’t have a place in society. Meeting individuals who don’t have a warm bed to sleep in, are unemployed and not sure how to fill out a job application, don’t have a way to a job interview because they don’t have a car, have holidays alone because they are ostracized from their families and worry where their next meal is coming from are some challenges that we work with individuals to address. They are not just a number on my caseload, they are real people with real needs.”

Salinas said the Second Chance Drug Court matters to her because she has seen the effects of addiction firsthand. “I have seen firsthand how addiction impacts families and because of that, I have dedicated my whole career to public service. OOD is important because it provides resources to help the individual transition back into the community by working. Many individuals have a spotty work history, felony charges, lack of references or fear of returning to the workforce and we are here to walk them through each step.”

Brittany Zimmerman is the Peer Support Specialist with MCSCDC. She is in the unique position of using her own experience to help others now. “As a peer support…my role is to use my own…experience with the criminal justice and/or substance use systems to help others navigate their own recovery journey. I provide a unique perspective, offering empathy and understanding that comes from having ‘been there.’ I act as a mentor, advocate, and guide, helping participants connect with resources and services such as housing, employment, and treatment.”

Zimmerman said her goal is to “build trust and rapport, empowering individuals to take an active role in their own recovery and reintegration into the community. By sharing my story and providing encouragement.

“I help reduce the stigma associated with addiction and legal issues and model a path to a successful and productive life….I serve as a bridge between the court system and the individuals it serves, helping to foster a supportive and effective environment for change.”

“My personal journey through addiction and recovery has given me a deep and empathetic understanding of the struggles my clients face. This…experience allows me to connect with them on a level that goes beyond textbook knowledge.” Zimmerman added that having been through addiction and mental health issues, she can offer hope and insight, helping clients to realize “recovery is not only possible, but achievable.”

Zimmerman said her own experience has taught her the importance of being non-judgmental since she understands what clients are going through. She believes that through that, she can help clients feel seen and heard.

Having lost everything due to addiction, Zimmerman said she felt she was “utterly alone” without family and friends to stand with her. “It was a harrowing journey that ultimately became the painful catalyst for my recovery.”

Zimmerman said she makes sure clients understand “the immense courage it takes to confront addiction” and she likes being able to “celebrate every small victory with them.” She added that relapse is “often a part of recovery” and does not mean clients have failed. Instead, she encourages them to celebrate the “present moment” and “lean on their support network, whether it’s family, friends, or a 12-step program, so they never feel alone in their fight.”

Being a part of the Second Chance Drug Court team is an “honor and a privilege” for Zimmerman.

“It means I get to be a part of a system that sees individuals, not just their mistakes, and offers a real pathway to redemption…this work has taught me that compassion and rehabilitation are far more effective than just punishment.”

The MCSCDC team is inviting their drug court alumni as well as the public to a celebration of the 25th anniversary of MCSCDC on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hobart Arena Bravo Room. It was noted that they have not been able to locate some alumni from many years ago, and wanted to give them an invitation to attend as well.