County's drug court is changing lives

Megan White and Christy Yoder had their lives turned upside down by opioid addiction but today both women are drug free, have good jobs and credit Escambia County, Alabama's drug court for getting their lives back together.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of drug court in Escambia County, which was started by then Circuit Judge Bradley Byrne in 2002. Although retired as one of the county's two circuit judges, Byrne continues to oversee the drug court program.

Since its inception 599 people have entered the program, 408 have had graduated, 186 failed and were sentenced out and five have died. The program currently has 50 participants.

Byrne was elected circuit judge in 1987 and while on the bench he saw a need for alternatives to jail and prison for people addicted the drugs.

He said he'd heard about other drug courts and began his research. He said most of the felony cases coming to court had an underlying drug addiction component. Some of the people in drug court are there for drugs but many are there for other offenses like theft and forgery to feed their drug habit.

Byrne noted that people committing crimes of violence, including sex crimes are not accepted into drug court.

Drug court is a year-long process but could be extended if a participant tests positive for drugs during that time. Participants must remain drug-free for six months before graduation.

In most cases if someone completes drug court their criminal record is wiped clean. Others are given split-sentences and placed on probation instead of going to prison.

Byrne said during the past 20 years 65 percent of the cases have been totally dismissed for those completing the program.

"Putting them in jail wasn't a solution to the problem," Byrne said. "There had to be a better way. This is the most rewarding thing I've done as a circuit judge. When you see people turn their lives around it's rewarding."

When he retired as circuit judge in 2014 he said there was never a thought of giving up drug court, which is still held every Friday morning at the Escambia County Courthouse.

"I never really entertained not doing drug court," Byrne said. "I'll continue as long as I can."

Byrne credits the success of the county's drug court to the staff which includes Denise Carlee, court reporter and drug court coordinator; Glenn Carlee, lab technician and supervision officer; Bobby Gibson and Ann Anderson, substance abuse counselors; Mollie Pizzotti, lab technician and administrative assistant; District Attorney Steve Billy; and Public Defender Wade Hartley.

In addition to being subject to random drug testing on a weekly basis, participants must also have a job.

Byrne said Escambia County is one of two counties across the state that makes arrangements for drug tests at different hours to make sure the participant gets to work on time.

He said Glenn and Denise Carlee will meet someone at 6 a.m. to gather a urine sample so the person can be at work on time at 8 a.m.

Consequences for failing a drug test can range from having more time added to 12-months needed to graduate or spending a few days in the county jail.

"We want to help the people, Byrne said. "They have to do the work, we hold them accountable."

They are subject to curfews and must be on time for all appointments and court hearings.

Megan White said she was addicted to opioids for seven years and got felony charges for providing false information and fraudulent use of a credit card.

She said she went to rehab realizing she needed accountability. She said when COVID hit her life became unimaginable. She said the district attorney agreed to accept her into drug court and six weeks later she lost her son in a four-wheeler accident.

"I went into drug court as a completely broken person," White said. "Today I'm sober. A lot of support came from drug court. They checked on me every day."

She said she was able to complete the program in 12 months with no sanctions and was able to gain employment.

She said she goes into the schools to talk to the students about the dangers of drugs, trying to keep them from going down the same patch she did.

"It really turned my life around," White said of drug court.

Today she is a certified recovery specialist through the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

She had spent 10 years in law enforcement as a dispatcher and the drugs took over her life but drug court gave it back.

"It turned me into what I wanted to be as the person I was capable of being," she said.

She said the accountability and constant contact from her mentors Denise Carlee and Pizzotti has her now walking down the right path.

"A lot of people are uncomfortable sharing their story," she said. "Everybody has been affected one way or another by drug addiction and I tell my story in hopes others won't follow my earlier path."

Christy Yoder said her drug addiction to Lortab landed her in prison for a period of time and said when she first entered drug court she thought it wasn't for her. She said she stole her parents' credit card to feed her habit.

She credits drug court for teaching her all types of responsibility.

"They teach you about life," she said. "Things from financial issues to other things. They hold you accountable for everything you do."

She said drug court turned her life around 360 degrees and today is the manager of a fast food restaurant in Brewton.

She said participants in drug court must have a job and she has a drug court participant working for her now hoping to give her the same opportunity she had through the court.

She said although she has graduated and is sober and employed she still calls Denise Carlee often just to talk.

"These are amazing people," she said. "You can tell it's not just a job they genuinely care about you and want you to succeed."