In Greenwood, those unlucky enough to be pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle or other alcohol and drug-related charges, might be fortunate enough to end up in Municipal Drug Court.
Greenwood is one of only two municipalities in Mississippi with a drug court alternative. The other is Columbus.
That alternative is up to Municipal Court Judge Carlos Palmer’s discretion and up to an individual defendant’s willingness to enter into an intensive one- to two-year program of random drug testing, comprehensive supervision and treatment if needed.
Last week, 11 men and one woman graduated from the drug court program, meaning they fulfilled all the requirements, are clean and sober and will have charges expunged from their records.
Having that record expunged is a great motivator, said Antoine Tyree Skinner, one of the graduates.
Skinner said he was lucky to have an employer who supported his participation in the program, but if that had not been the case and he had a marijuana possession charge on his record, he might have found it difficult to find work.
“I was 13 when I first started using marijuana,” Skinner said. “I had a real bad attitude, and pot usually calmed me down until the high was gone.”
In drug court, he learned a few things. One, he doesn’t need to medicate to calm down. Fishing works just as well. And two, choose your friends wisely.
Skinner said he didn’t find it particularly difficult to give up his marijuana habit, but changing his mind-set was challenging.
“I look at it as a mind thing,” he said. “You just push forward and stay focused and clean.”
Skinner’s wife, Shelia, said she could see him spiraling downward in his old life before the program, and she told him she had his back.
“He’s changed a lot,” she said, “and I intend to continue to be here for him.”
For Mr. Skinner, making it through the program was a task that required drug testing, unannounced, sometimes as often as three to four times a week. But for him, the inconvenience was worth the lesson learned: You don’t have to be high to enjoy life.
For others, especially those with serious addiction problems, the program can be more difficult.
“I lost a best friend in this program,” Skinner said. “There were a couple of guys who didn’t make it through.”
Drug Court Coordinator Ouida Faye Martin says the program, which costs about $75,000 per year in state and city grants, can prevent offenders from entering the cycle of unemployment and re-offending, while dealing with their substance abuse issues at the same time.
“My clients have a chance to be out working to support their families while they’re serving their sentence and kicking their habits,” Martin said. “If the judge hears a case and concludes that someone needs a little help and believes they can make it through, he sends them to me.”
Since 2011, when drug court was first instituted in Greenwood, 116 people have successfully completed the program. Nineteen were unsuccessful.
“If they are still there after two years and we’ve used all the tools at our disposal, they are terminated from the program,” said Martin.
The graduation, held in the Leflore County Justice Center courtroom, was a celebratory event with families and friends gathered in support of their graduates.
Greenwood pastor Samuel Sago offered words of caution and encouragement to the graduates.
“Be mindful that the thing that was there in you prior to now is still susceptible, but with support I have no doubt you will make good choices. You are not alone.”
Healthy relationships trainer and inspirational speaker Willie Joe McCall told his own story of incarceration and redemption.
“I was an 18-year-old in jail,” he said, “and I was given and accepted an opportunity to change.
“You have been given a chance to leave this place and never come back except as a witness.”
Martin addressed those gathered, too, thanking Palmer for keeping her on when he took over the program from former Municipal Judge Neysha Sanders in 2011.
Martin led her group in a simple prayer:
“Thank you, Lord. You didn’t let me cause a death to myself or anyone else while drinking or using drugs.”
Questions about drug court can be directed to Martin at 299-6857.
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
