By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Theresa Strathaus was at a crossroad in her life. She could continue abusing drugs or decide to clean up her ways. These days, Strathaus has a good job, a strong network of family and friends, and a much more promising outlook on her life. Drug court, she said, gave her that second chance to succeed rather than a life spent behind bars. “I thank God every day for the drug court program,” Strathaus remarked. “It allowed me the opportunity to turn my life around and become the person I am today.” Drug court is designed to give offenders a chance at erasing past convictions by providing treatment and holding them accountable. But in order to graduate, participants face extra scrutiny and an 18-month program structured to keep them clean. This month marks the 25th anniversary of the national drug court program. A ceremony and balloon release was held outside the Warren County Courthouse Friday, May 2, to celebrate the 25th anniversary and National Drug Court Month. Locally, Strathaus is one of the program’s success stories. She began using marijuana when she was 14 and started experimenting with harder drugs. Soon after, she was hooked and facing time in jail. Now she is one of the program’s biggest cheerleaders. “I had to keep telling myself, to get through this program, there is a new future out there for me to do whatever I choose to do with,” she said. “After six months, I noticed a change in myself and my children and I liked what I saw. I met new people who became good friends, got a new job and talked with my family again. I realized the life that I wanted and deserved — a life without drugs and jail.” Drug Court was implemented in Warren County in February 2003, with DWI participants allowed to enter the program a few years ago. Since that time, 132 participants have been admitted in the program. Similar programs were started in Audrain County in April 2006 and Montgomery County in February 2008. Drug court participants must follow strict guidelines through the 18-month program, including weekly court and counseling sessions, contacting officials every morning, obeying a nightly curfew and performing a minimum of 40 hours of community service. They must submit to drug tests when requested and cannot leave the county without permission. Warren County Associate Judge Mike Wright, who serves as the Drug Court judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit, admitted he was skeptical early on about the program when he served as prosecutor. Now he is a believer in the program. “It does make a difference,” he said. “It’s a life-changing experience. It is so good for that person, but it’s great for the community.”
A balloon release was held Friday, May 2, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Drug Court program.
