Drug court changes lives

BENTONVILLE — Jay Wheeless says he had a huge chip on his shoulder when he entered Benton County Drug Court in 2013. He now credits the program with helping change his life.

Wheeless, 27, of Pea Ridge was one of more than 70 people who graduated from drug court in a ceremony late last month.

The ceremony marked their completion of an intensive program of comprehensive drug treatment, close supervision and full accountability, said Michelle Barrett, Benton County Drug Court coordinator and counselor.

Several graduates from Benton County Veterans Court also were recognized at the ceremony.

“My name is Jay, and I’m an alcoholic,” Wheeless said as he addressed the graduation crowd.

Wheeless entered drug court on July 28, 2013. The journey to graduation was tough for Wheeless. There were stays in the county jail when Wheeless violated drug court rules. Now sober, Wheeless wants to share his experience with other people.

“It’s refreshing to be able to be sober,” Wheeless said.

Wheeless said there were times he didn’t care if he woke up, but drug court showed him he could get sober. The program introduced him to Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery.

“I didn’t fly through the program,” Wheeless said of drug court. A turning point came while he was doing time in the county jail.

“I didn’t want to continue living that way,” Wheeless said.

Drug court is set up in four phases. If a participant relapses, they are assessed to see what phase they will fall back to when they reenter the program.

Wheeless said losing his grandfather also was a blow to him, but it turned out to be a crucial moment in his recovery.

“I learned how to deal with grief and not turn to drugs or alcohol,” Wheeless said. “I had never done that before.”

Denny Altes, state drug director, urged the graduates to stay away from bad things and to lead happy, successful lives.

Benton County Circuit Judge Tom Smith, who presides over drug court, said 140 people are in the program with 30 more people being assessed for entry.

Drug court has one counselor coordinator, three counselors and three pro- bation officers. The court is staffed to treat between 180 and 200 people, Smith said.

“It doesn’t come easy, and I think learning that has helped us work with people longer until it does kick in,” Smith said of drug court. “We also work hard to continually learn the latest, best practices and apply them.”

Thirteen people completed the latest veterans court and there are now 11 people in the program. The court is a program aimed to help veterans who face criminal charges.

Bryan Matthews, director of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, said drug and veterans courts are changing lives. Matthews said thousands of veterans are in prisons and on parole, but he praised veterans courts for not adding to the numbers.