Public Employee Press

Profile in Public Service
Drug Court workers help change lives

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Mary*, 55, supported a life of cocaine and crack abuse by shoplifting. Homeless for over 30 years, she was arrested for identity theft. While in Manhattan Supreme Court, Mary met Case Manager Richard Cruz.

"Mary was in and out of rehab, but this time she hit rock bottom," Cruz said. "She took a plea and agreed to the intervention I recommended to the judge."

Through the Drug Court program she got treatment and avoided jail.

Local 1070 Case Managers go through an exhaustive process of information gathering to present judges with recommendations to help clients enter the Drug Court program as an alternative to incarceration.

"Most people who go to Rikers come out worse than when they went in," said Local 1070 President Fausto Sabatino. "This program is a chance to turn lives around."

Case Managers help their clients get clean, find housing and jobs.

"These alternatives were not in place under the Rockefeller drug laws, but that's changed," Cruz explained. It costs taxpayers over $170,000 to jail someone on Rikers Island for a year.

Better than jail

As an alternative, drug courts offer a second chance that is a better, more cost-effective and a sustainable alternative to prison. Longer than a 30-day rehab or detox, first offenders enter the program for 12 to 15 months; repeat offenders get 24 months. It costs taxpayers about $25,000 per client, Cruz said, depending on their needs.

Drug courts started in Miami, Fla., in response to the '80s crack epidemic. Dozens of states implemented similar programs. The New York State Unified Courts System has drug courts in the city's five counties in the state Supreme Criminal, Civil and Family courts.

Drug Court cases have risen to record levels as more people get hooked on prescription painkillers like OxyContin, synthetic drugs like K2 and Ketamine, or heroin.

Generations of pill-poppers shop doctors or steal for drugs. The problem is so widespread that in March, New York became the first state to mandate doctors file prescriptions electronically, and attached penalties for MDs who fail to comply.

"Older people use crack and cocaine," Cruz said, "Young people are addicted to Molly and opiates. They have longer drug histories. One-in-four has mental-health issues."

The trend led Local 1070 leaders to meet the Staten Island district attorney for more staff. Manhattan added a Veterans Treatment Court that is coordinated through the Mayor's Office of Veteran Affairs and the DA.

In three years Mary recovered from her addiction. She found an apartment, got a job, and reconnected with family, Cruz said, "Our program helped her turned her life around. At her final court date, Mary told us life now has a purpose. Her words overwhelmed us - even the judge shed tears."


*Name changed to protect client's identity.