Coalition Member Spotlight

Collaboration Works!

The E. Raymond Alexander Drug Treatment Court (DTC), named after the late Honorable E. Raymond Alexander who was the driving force behind the initial efforts to establish a drug court in Guilford County, is a supervised intensive court-based treatment program for long-term substance abusers. The DTC program uses a team-based approach. Clients are under the weekly supervision of case  managers, probation officers, treatment specialists, public defenders, district attorneys, and a District Court judge.  Offenders appear in court every two (2) weeks, where they may receive praise and/or sanctions commensurate of their progress or lack of progress. DTC was designed to be a minimum of one year and a maximum of 18 months, although some clients have remained in the program longer than 18 months. Offenders must be willing to participate and, if they successfully complete the program, their charges will be dismissed.

DTC consists of three (3) phases, with each phase having varying degrees of intensity and requirements. Offenders must be drug and sanction free for 60 days before moving from one phase to the next. Phase requirements include daily/weekly meetings with case managers and probation officers, NA/AA attendance, drug screens, and treatment provided by Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS). ADS utilizes a client-centered approach that incorporates group, individual, and gender-specific treatment in both an outpatient and inpatient setting. In addition, the DTC team works to assist the client in meeting their needs for housing, education, and employment.

The collaboration between these two Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition member organizations highlights how the Coalition impacts our community and is key to the success of the offender.

DTC has been operating under an Office of Justice federal grant, which expires September 30, 2006. Continuation funds are currently being sought so that the program can continue to assist offenders who are sincere about wanting to become drug free. Presently there are 27 active clients in DTC, all in various stages of their recovery. The road to recovery has been a struggle for most clients, but many have made great strides.

One client that stands out is James Kearney. James knows first hand about struggle. He has experienced the continuum of emotions and outcomes that are so intricately connected to the consequences of addiction and the rewards of recovery. James has had to overcome many obstacles in his journey toward recovery. These have entailed many losses, as well as spending time in prison. He describes himself as starting out as a “recreational/social drug user,” able to operate on a daily basis under a “controlled high.” In other words, he was able to hold down a job for a company for nine (9) years, eventually becoming a successful manager. He relates that as the pressures, stressors, and responsibilities of life and work increased, so did the level of his drug use. As his drug use increased, his sense of control over all aspects of his life began to deteriorate. He states that this was the lowest point in his life. He realized that it was affecting his job and “knew I needed to stop, but couldn’t.” The losses started to mount; he describes feeling “miserable, losing my self-esteem and the trust of my family and friends.”  Eventually he lost his job. He felt that he had “nothing to show for my life and often didn’t feel like living.” It was shortly after receiving a felony charge that James was first introduced to the Drug Treatment Court program.

Although after coming into DTC he initially struggled, he states that after experiencing some success in moving through the program he became aware that he was beginning to change his thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. He relates it by stating that “about six (6) months into the program I knew this is what I wanted!” At this time in his life, through perseverance and much hard work, he says that he is “happy, clean and sober” (579 days) and feels that he has more things to show in life for his efforts and for who he is as a person.

He says that his experience in DTC has “helped open me up to become willing to learn more, do more than in the past,” as well as “being more willing to help others.” One of the things that he is most proud of is that he has strengthened the relationships and trust of his family and friends. He has even been nominated as “Employee of the Year” in his current job. Through all the trials and tribulations that he has experienced, James has become a role model for other DTC clients, as well as to anyone who knows or has the pleasure to meet him.

For more information on the collaboration between the E. Raymond Alexander Drug Treatment Court and Alcohol & Drug Services, contact Carri Munns or Jackie Butler at the following phone numbers.

Jackie Butler 336-812-8645, Ext. 236
 ADS Carri Munns 336-335-3452 DTC

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