NORWICH – Four former substance abusers and repeat felons have successfully completed Chenango County’s Treatment Court, bringing the total number of graduates to 23 since the program was introduced in February 2004.
The four were honored by County Judge W. Howard Sullivan at the Chenango County Courthouse Monday and witnessed by a courtroom filled with families and friends and representatives from the multiple agencies that make up the rehabilitation program.
“It’s a rough road, but you can do it if you want to,” one graduate said about the program in his short acceptance speech. Another agreed. “If you want it, you can achieve it,” he said after accepting Sullivan’s congratulations. One graduate said, “It’s time for me to step aside and let someone else take advantage of this program. What a gift to learn to live a life of sobriety.”
Treatment Court, which is fully state-funded, is an optional alternative to jail. It is geared for repeat, non-violent felony offenders whose crimes are regarded as addiction-driven. To graduate, participants must maintain sobriety for 12 consecutive months, obtain a high school education or GED, and hold down full-time employment. The program could last in some cases up to 30 months.
Sullivan acknowledged the four for working hard, making good decisions and not letting substance abuse prevail.
“This is not an easy program. We are here to celebrate your achievement. You are all great inspirations to others,” he said.
Prior to the ceremonies, Robert Almeter, the father of drunk driver victim Katie Almeter, gave a victim impact speech. The presentation was designed “to bring home the lesson for all to think about what could happen before making the wrong decision to drive a car after drinking,” Sullivan said.
Almeter, whose daughter was killed in an accident at Colgate University along with two other Norwich High School graduates, Emily Collins and Rachel Nargiso, depicted the grief that he’s lived with over the past six and one half years. “It’s something I’ll have to do for the rest of my life,” he said in his 45-minute presentation.
He reminded those in attendance of the lives each girl lived, as daughter, sister, student, athlete, artist or friend. Various props represented their childhood, their achievements and their dreams for the future. The three girls had been friends since grade school and were visiting Katie at college.
“Katie didn’t have to die,” he said. “At least the four of you here today have made a decision to change the way you live, to choose a more healthy lifestyle.” Almeter gave them each a key chain and asked them to remember Katie’s story. “Think about making a decision that will give you a life, not one that takes a life. I want you to make the decision. It could be the last one you make.”
Treatment Court Coordinator James Everard has pointed to the program’s potential to reduce local government spending for prison, Medicaid, welfare, foster care, child-protective services, domestic violence and health care. Treatment Court Team members believe any of those may come into play when an adult offender has routine brushes with the criminal justice system.
In a recently released review of 2006, Treatment Court Board Chairperson Laureen J. Clarke said year-to-date county jail cost savings for the program is calculated at nearly $630,000.