Pitt County Drug Treatment Court
What about your Drug Court Team are you most proud of?
The way all of our members of the team work together for the common good of the participants in Drug Court. We come from very different backgrounds and often have different views on how issues should be handled, but all members work in a professional and collegial manner to determine what should be done and then present to the participant as a “united” front. Also, proud of the good communication between members regarding day to day participant issues/progress.
What has been the team’s biggest challenge this year?
Financial limitations, implementing changes and/or decisions recommended, and illness of several team members which resulted in them being out of work for several weeks-months.
How has your membership in the NADCP helped your team?
Able to relay information regarding resources, upcoming trainings, and budget information to other team members.
How have NADCP/NDCI trainings improved your court?
More insight into each members “color personality”, educated on each team members role and what is entailed in their job, available resources, enlarged social network, and enhancement of services.
What do you (the team) enjoy doing when not at work?
Football, Hockey, Fishing, Exercising, attending Church, Traveling, Cooking, Spending time with family/friends, going to the Gym, attend children’s school activities/sports, and Home Improvement jobs.
How has your work in Drug Court impacted the team members' lives?
Appreciation of the “small progress” one makes, made aware of the pitfalls of prescription medications, incorporate the sanction/reward model when dealing with their child, and the concept of “accept versus agree”.
What has been your (team’s) favorite NADCP conference moment?
Hearing Melanie Griffith and Matthew Perry’s recovery story, opportunity to go to the Nation's Capitol with other team members during the “Make Our Mark” on Capitol Hill, teambuilding activities with our own team, and social networking.
Tell us about your (team’s) most memorable Drug Court experience?
Having a graduate’s mother “thank us” for helping her 49 year old son.
When a 55 year old participant graduated from our Drug Court; here is his story:
Mr. Jenkins entered the Pitt County Drug Treatment Court Program with learning disabilities in Reading and Writing, poor physical health, limited employment history, 9th grade education level, no checking/savings account, extensive legal and substance abuse history, and no supportive network.
During Mr. Jenkins’ journey with the Pitt County Drug Treatment Court program, he developed and followed a weekly schedule to include Literacy Program attendance, visiting the Library, volunteer work at Habitat for Humanity, attending self-help recovery meetings, medical appointments, and other scheduled events in order to develop positive leisure activities. By the time Mr. Jenkins graduated from Drug Court, he successfully completed the Literacy Program (with certificate), now writing Short Stories for the Literacy Program, gained computer skills, seeking to obtain GED, hired full-time at Habitat for Humanity as the Warehouse Supervisor, abstained from all mood-altering substances for 12 months, successfully completed the 156 hours substance abuse Intensive Outpatient Treatment (CJPP), obtained checking & saving accounts, obtained new housing, addressing medical issues to include weight loss, obtained sponsor, improved relationship with family members, obtained Driver’s License along with purchasing an automobile, and did not obtain new legal charges which also led to successful completion of Probation.
Noted that Mr. Jenkins continues to maintain abstinence from all mood-altering substances and is now a sponsor to one of our current participants.
List any “quotes” you think are helpful….
“Keep It Simple”, “Attitude of Gratitude”, “No Matter What Just Don’t Pick Up”, “Play the Tape all the way Through”, “3-5 second rule”, “If you keep doing what you are doing you will keep getting what you are getting”, “Sick and tired of being sick and Tired”, and “Speak when you are Angry and it will be the best speech you EVER regret”.
What is each team member’s position in Drug Court and how long have they been associated with Drug Court:
Judge Joe Blick: Judge: (Since the first court session Sept. 2005).
Darth Akins: Asst. District Attorney (Sept. 2005)
Stephanie R. Williams: Public Defender (2 years; she replaced retired PD)
Carl Cogdell: DTC Coordinator (Sept. 2005)
Bill Woolard: Probation Officer (Sept. 2005)
Sgt. R. Abbott: Electronic Monitoring Officer w/Sheriff’s Dept. (Sept. 2005)
Dawn E. Vaughan: DTC Clinical Specialist (Sept. 2005)
Kim Williams: Chief Probation Officer: (Sept. 2005)
Chris Johnson: Asst. District Attorney (Filled in for 3-5 months: 2008-09)
NDCI is supported by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, and the National Institute of Justice; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration through the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; and the State Justice Institute.
Pitt County Treatment Court @ National Nite Out sponsored by Target which was put on by the Greenville Police Department. Nite Out celebrates all the efforts the community and the police department have worked together this year to fight and prevent crime.
