Sen. Sherrod Brown said New Philadelphia Municipal Judge VonAllman hears many similar stories in her Recovery Court. "She told the Times-Reporter, 'We try to give them and their families hope: that treatment works and people do recover.'”
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown recognized the successes of local drug courts recently in a speech on the floor of the Senate. He said the programs enhance treatment, increase collaboration in the community, and save taxpayers money.
The Democrat mentioned both local drug courts: Changing Offender Behavior through Rehabilitation and Accountability (COBRA), operated by Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos, and the New Philadelphia Municipal Recovery Court, run by Judge Nanette DeGarmo VonAllman.
Brown's speech on Tuesday referred to a story published in The Times-Reporter that contained testimonials about the drug courts, which were highlighted because May is National Drug Court Month.
"These courts are partnerships between local law enforcement and treatment providers," Brown said. "They’re often spearheaded by judges, who see the same people back in their courtrooms over and over again for drug offenses.
"These judges realized that traditional court proceedings weren’t working — they weren’t curing people’s addiction. Fines and jail time can’t cure a medical condition.
"So judges set up these special courts, where participants agree to enter treatment programs and are strictly supervised by law enforcement. If they successfully complete the program, instead of heading to prison, they hold a graduation ceremony."
Brown noted that Thomakos' COBRA court recently held its 125th graduation ceremony, and quoted a graduate who said, “When I couldn’t get clean, you helped me get clean. When I couldn’t set boundaries, you set them for me. You guys believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.
“My daughter has her mamma back. A healthy mom, hard-working, motivated, goal-oriented mom, who smiles again and is grateful in all she does.
“By this program shaping my future, it has also shaped hers.”
Brown said VonAllman hears many similar stories in her Recovery Court.
"She told The Times-Reporter, 'We try to give them and their families hope: that treatment works and people do recover.'”
Brown urged his colleagues in Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to support and expand these types of programs. Brown recently introduced legislation with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va/, the Collectively Achieving Recovery and Employment (CARE) Act, that would help bring together addiction treatment and workforce training efforts to better help communities fight addiction, cut down on repeat offenses, and help participants get jobs.
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR