They are a familiar sight for motorists driving for any extended stretch of most Michigan highways ? crosses with flowers or balloons marking the spot where a life was cut short by a drunk driver.
Seven individuals hoping to avoid being involved in such fatal accidents, graduated from 52-2 District Court’s Sobriety Court demonstrating one way the justice system is approaching repeat drunk driving offences on May 4.
Several government officials were on hand to mark the occasion in the Independence Township Library including: Keynote Speaker Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Representative John Stakoe and Oakland County Commissioners Tom Middleton and Eileen Kowall.
‘We’ve literally changed some lives,? said Judge Kelley Kostin. ‘These seven people are now living healthy and sober lives and giving back to us.?
The commencement marked the seven graduates? completion of the 18-month program of comprehensive substance abuse testing and treatment and close supervision.
52-2 District Court’s Sobriety Court was founded in November 2004 by Judges Michael Batchik and Dana Fortinberry. Judge Kelley Kostin took over for Batchik when he retired.
Similarly to the 1,753 other drug and sobriety courts in the United States as of December 2005, this court hears cases of offenders charged with a second or subsequent drunk driving offense, according to a press release from 52-2 Sobriety Court.
Most people on hand from law enforcement officials to graduates agreed the Sobriety Court was a success.
‘If you throw them in jail or in a traditional probation, the person who is alcohol addicted comes out and goes right for the bar,? said Judge Fortinberry.
All three judges who addressed the crowd? Fortinberry, Kostin and Honorable Harvey Hoffman from 56-A Court ? gave credit to the persons who went through the program. All seven were placed in a structured environment where they receive treatment, counseling, submit to frequent random drug and alcohol testing, submit to probation supervision and make regular appearances before the judges.
‘We’re the supporting cast. There are heroes in sobriety courts, but they are not wearing the black robes. The heroes ultimately are the participants and their families,? said Judge Hoffman, who spoke about the impact of sobriety courts and the limitations of some traditional punitive measures. ‘We’ve proven probably you can’t address substance abuse issues through incarceration.?
‘They do all the work, we provide the structure,? said Fortinberry. ‘We provide them the tools they need to get sober and stay sober.?
One of the graduates, Paul Dowling, who gave permission for his name to be used, expressed gratitude towards the judges and experience saying the program changed his life.
‘If it wasn’t for this program, I wouldn’t be standing here right now. Not because I’d be in jail, but more or less I’d probably be dead. This definitely saved my life. I’m a multiple drunk driver,? said Dowling, who took a mentoring role with Alcoholics Anonymous and people newly enrolled in the Sobriety Court program.
‘It totally changed a life. There’s nothing in my life now that’s the same as there was before.?