Marion County drug court graduate celebrates sobriety, reintegration into community
The latest alumnus of the Marion County Common Pleas Court's F.I.R.S.T. Court says the program has made a definite difference in her life.
Established in 2013 in Marion County Common Pleas Court, F.I.R.S.T. - commonly known as drug treatment court - stands for Focusing on Individual Recovery, Success and Treatment. It's one of two specialized dockets operated by Marion County Common Pleas Court. Marion Municipal Court also runs a drug court among its specialized dockets.
"My life is different now in so many ways," Tracy Gaines said during the graduation ceremony held Nov. 4 at Marion First Church of the Nazarene. "I'm 16 months clean and sober and get up every day and go to work like a productive member of society. I am a role model in my recovery community. I am responsible and reliable. I take accountability for my actions and admit when I am wrong. It's different now because I think before I act, considering all negative consequences.
"The most rewarding part of drug court was watching myself achieve goals I never thought I could. Watching my kids, friends, and family start to trust me again and let me back into their lives."
Judge Warren T. Edwards said Gaines has been a model participant in the drug court program. After successfully completing the program at West Central Community Correctional Facility in Marysville, Gaines returned to Marion and entered the F.I.R.S.T. Court program.
"Once getting out, she has never tested positive for any illegal drug or alcohol," Judge Edwards said. "She has resided in a local sober living facility and now lives in a home, not just a sober house, but a home on those grounds. ... She is now a full time employee at Whirlpool and is doing quite well there. That's a very significant achievement in this community because it is one of Marion's major employers and it is the type of employer that you can support a family on.
"We talked to Tracy about building a strong, confident woman and in spite of her soft-spoken manner, she's become those things. She's achieved what has brought her to this day, in my opinion, through sheer will and determination, with the help of the (drug court) team, but largely on her own."
The judge praised Gaines for rebuilding relationships with her four children and for completing the F.I.R.S.T. Court program without being sanctioned for violating program rules. He said she's "one of a handful of people" to achieve that feat.
Gaines said she enjoyed getting to know the F.I.R.S.T. Court staff members and appreciated their help throughout the process. She said it's been a challenging and rewarding experience. Gaines also shared what her goals are for the immediate future.
"My short term goals to help me remain drug free is continuing to work at Whirlpool full time and continue paying all my fines so I can get my (driver's) license), start working online to be a peer supporter to help others struggling, and continue to show up and be there for my kids," Gaines said.
Gaines said her support group includes the treatment counselors, probation officers, and her family. She offered the following advice for fellow participants who are still in the drug court program.
"Just be honest and open. Don't lie," she said. "They can't help you if they don't know what's going on. They really do have your best interests at heart and want to see us succeed."
Rep. Tracy Richardson, R-Marysville, served as the keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony. She praised Gaines for for completing the program, calling her a "role model" and "an example of how, with determination and the help of this court, new life and new opportunities await" her.
"We are celebrating success. We are celebrating hope," Richardson said. "And we're here to applaud Tracy who has done the hard work to reach this milestone in her life today. In my own life, I've learned that anything worthwhile is worth working for. When we are journeying with struggles, we sometimes cannot see the finish line, which in turn entices us to give up because the challenges are just too great. Having a goal and a vision and persevering through the hard times is the difference between victory and defeat."
The drug treatment court concept was conceived in 1989 in Miami, Florida. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), there are approximately 135 active drug treatment courts in Ohio and more than 4,000 nationwide. NADCP statistics show that drug treatment courts reduce recidivism by 60%. Drug treatment courts serve around 150,000 people annually and have served approximately 1.5 million people since the inception of the concept in 1989.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Co. drug court graduate celebrates sobriety, return to society
