Mike Wolanin | The Republic Judge Kelly Benjamin talks about the importance of the Bartholomew County Drug Recovery Court program during a graduation ceremony for participants in the program at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Describing her former self as “a broken shell of a woman,” former Columbus resident Debbie Olmstead said she believes she was an addict longer than some of her fellow Drug Court participants have been alive.
“I knew if I kept on the path I was taking, I was going to end up in prison,” said Olmstead, one of 10 former defendants who were lauded for their efforts Tuesday during Bartholomew County’s third annual Adult Drug Recovery Court graduation. Although the recovering methamphetamine user now lives with relatives in Texas, Olmstead said she returned to Columbus specifically to attend and speak at the event at The Commons.
Olmstead said she was both frightened and skeptical when she began the drug court program, especially after discovering she would have to remain sober for 15 to 24 months to successfully complete it. She spent much time wondering what she had gotten herself into, Olmstead said.
“I didn’t know if I could stay clean,” she said. “At first, it was a very hard schedule. But as time went on, I noticed not only was I not using – but the thought of using wasn’t even there. The program taught me how to respect my life, respect myself and respect other people.”
In addition, Olmstead learned how to work through things that overwhelmed and upset her without using drugs to cover up and forget her feelings, she told the audience.
More than 100 people were in the audience at The Commons as the 10 graduates were praised for their successful completion of the program. As Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin put it, “that took guts.”
Each eligible candidate has to undergo at least two evaluations before being considered for the program, according to the judge. Once they begin the program, the participant is required to essentially change all aspects of their lives, Benjamin said.
”They have to show up in court week after week, and agree to stringent treatment plans that first seem to be overwhelming,” Benjamin said. “They have to change contacts, even with close friends, family members or people that they love. They have to discover new friends, new hobbies, new skills and reassess their entire lives.”
Those accepted in the program work with a team of up to 17 people that includes coaches, treatment providers, mental health experts, court services personnel, case managers and law enforcement.
It is the team’s responsibility to help each participant change and improve their life by allowing them to realize who they really are, identify their talents and work toward continuing recovery, Benjamin said.
The annual Above and Beyond Award was presented to Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Molitor, who coordinates the Whitney House, a recovery transitional facility. The award is given annually to a team member who does far more than required to help drug court participants.
Bartholomew County’s Adult Drug Recovery Court has a 15% recidivism rate for participants after two years, compared to 33% statewide within three years, Benjamin said. So far, 31 people have successfully graduated from the program.
When Benjamin asked the graduates to name the four main principles of Drug Court, they answered confidently in unison: Honesty, Showing Up, Accountability and Being Respectful.
While the first half of the program was about recognizing team members, keynote speaker and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop focused his remarks on the graduates.
“You folks have done something remarkable,” Lienhoop said. “You’ve changed human behavior. Most importantly, you’ve changed your own. It’s a very hard thing to do, but you have succeeded.”
However, Lienhoop also stressed that Tuesday’s graduation only signifies that they have completed their training.
“What is truly important is what comes next,” the mayor said. “How you retain your sobriety. That is the true test.”
Bartholomew County’s three problem-solving courts (Adult Drug Recovery, Family and Veterans) were created to address the underlying problems that contribute to criminal behavior, according to those who supervise the program.
With the entire court offering support to qualified participants, rather than creating traditional adversarial positions, problem-solving courts have been proven to reduce the number of repeat offenders, they said.
The creation of a fourth problem-solving court to help non-violent offenders with mental health issues is being formed by Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton. A court representative said the court might be accepting individuals as early as September or October.
