Drug Court

The Utah justice system has an arrangement called drug court that acts as a substitution for probation and prison time. The program takes one year and the individuals go through detoxification, substance abuse programs, drug education classes, community service and continual drug testing. If at any point the defendant tests positive for drugs preceding a regular court date they will be removed from the program and placed in prison. The defendants could also face minimal prison time for failing to report for work diversion or not finding work while in the program. The program is a huge success, boasting just a 10% recidivism rate of those who graduate, compared to 70% of drug offenders outside the program.
I know all this because I am in a substance use and addictive behavior class right now. As a requirement for a 'field experiment' half the class went to drug court today. I'll tell you what, I didn't think I'd see a couple people I actually knew. First my uncle came in escorting the chain gang from Bluffdale (The defendant sitting behind me said that he was a pretty cool guy, but that his partner was a goon). Three walked in, one got released, yet three still left. One of the defendants failed his drug test, and was sentanced. Go to jail. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. These people walk a thin line, but for anyone who has felt the strong arms of addiction, it's all part of the game.
Leaders in the church do a great job at describing addiction. James E Faust said, "Some addictions can control us to the point where they take away our God-given agency. One of Satan’s great tools is to find ways to control us. Consequently, we should abstain from anything that would keep us from fulfilling the Lord’s purposes for us, whereby the blessings of eternity may hang in jeopardy. We are in this life for the spirit to gain control over the body rather than the other way around." Addictive behavior changes the way the body functions by creating a chemical imbalance in and structurally changing the brain. The effects of this create a dependency on the drug not just to experience a high, but to support normal body function. In effect, living by someone else's rules is no new thing for addicts, they are controlled by drugs just as much as by the justice system.
The other person I knew there was the brother of a friend of mine. I had met him only a couple of times and he's a nice kid, but he made some bad decisions, as you probably guessed when I mentioned that I saw him at drug court. His was the first case to be heard. I recognized his name when it was called and watched as the judge applauded his good efforts and sent him on his way. Many others went up and tested negative for drugs for the week, so they were given some praise, words of encouragement and another court date. It's good to see that people are progressing, that they're taking the right steps. I know his brother cares for him and wants him to make better choices with his life. It's gotta be hard to see someone you love fall to addictive behavior and have such a tough time getting out. Words from President Faust, "Any kind of addiction inflicts a terrible price in pain and suffering, and it can even affect us spiritually. However, there is hope because most addictions can over time be overcome. We can change, but it will be difficult." The road is not easy and it cannot be trekked alone. Outside the church they refer to it as a Higher Power, but in the church's 12-step program, it specifically says you need faith in Jesus Christ to help you overcome the bonds of addiction.
I'm glad that the justice system has found a way to increase successful rehabilitation of drug offenders and I hope its success (particularly in the recidivism department) will influence lawmakers to throw a little more money in that direction. It's an investment worth making.