NCJ Number
202314
Date Published
July 2003
Length
270 pages
Annotation
These life stories of graduates of and current participants in Kentucky's drug court program are written in their own words as they describe their experiences of drug and alcohol addiction that led to their participation in the drug court program, which has given them new hope that their lives can be better.
Abstract
The current manager of Kentucky's Drug Court Administrative Office of the Courts briefly reviews the history of the program in the preface to this book. She notes that the drug court program was established in 1996, and since that time, over 2,890 individuals have entered the program, with nearly 900 having graduated. The aim of the program is to help drug addicts who have become involved in the justice system to change their behavior through drug treatment and the setting and pursuing of positive goals for their lives. The stories in this book are presented as written by former and current drug court participants. Many of the stories give accounts of childhood social and economic disadvantage, and an early introduction to drug and alcohol use through peers and family members. Habitual drug use typically led to aimless lives interspersed with petty crimes to obtain money to pay for their drugs. The stories credit the drug court program with providing the structure, guidance, and support these individuals have needed to face their problem behaviors and attitudes and construct a plan for developing a positive lifestyle through education, employment, and positive interactions with others.