DUI/Drug Court gives update on program
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

Burke County's DUI/Drug Court received a special guest last week when Jane Martin of the Judicial Council of Georgia paid a visit.

Judge Jerry Daniel and his staff were excited about the visit - and were prepared to deliver a set of impressive stats concerning the program's participants.

Frank Hunter, who heads up the program's community service, reported that the 39 participants have completed 2,525 hours so far. Probation officer Mike Popplewell also had good news to report - of the 27 field visits in the last month, there were no positive drug screens, and in the last three months, 118 visits yielded only three participants who tested positive.

Counselor Brenda McBride said the program has "really evolved" since its inception and that the participants are realizing the level of concern the program's staff has for them.

Changes in the court's structure have also helped with that realization - participants are now rewarded for good behavior with anything from T-shirts to gift certificates for dinner and are also getting help in finding employment opportunities. Counselors Cathy Wright and Ken Fields are also both certified to offer multiple offender treatment to those who need it.

Martin got to experience first hand just how much the court has helped a young Burke County man when his mother spoke up to say he's doing better in school. "If it doesn't do anything but put the fear of God in him, it's working," she told the court.

In addition, each participant screened for drug and/or alcohol use on the spot that night tested negative.

Judge Daniel summed it up for Martin during the staff discussion before court began: "We're all here for one thing … to help those with alcohol and drug abuse problems."