Another Twist to Accountability

Most of us cannot imagine going over seas and having to fight for our lives and country, but think about all the traumatic events our brave soldiers are forced to see and experience daily while trying to protect our country. With this being said, it is evident that when soldiers get to hop on a plane and finally come back home, it is very possible that they may suffer from mental health issues due to all the horrible things they have had to witness while being deployed.

Assistant District Attorney Ray Herman caught on to the fact that he was seeing quite a few veterans in his court lately. Individuals who had once been fighting over seas, had come back to the states and started to break the law. Herman stated that a, "significant number of veterans are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health issues that can manifest themselves in criminal acts both great and small." Because of this problem occurring more frequently all over the country, veterans treatment court was established. Veterans treatment court focuses on allowing veterans with mental health related issues from the war, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and mild traumatic brain injury, to be a part of an accountability system that allows you to receive treatment for whatever your problem may be. This court is a blend of drug and mental-health courts. "It aims to divert people from the traditional criminal system. It provides veterans suffering from substance abuse, alcoholism and mental-health issues, with treatment, support, training and housing." A current member of Buffalo's veterans treatment court states, "It's a very hard program," but that he now has a future ahead of him. Veterans treatment court has ultimately changed so many of our humble and brave soldier's lives and we will continue to support these men and women through veterans treatment court.

To continue reading about personal stories from veterans apart of the veterans court treatment and to learn more about what this court treatment is really all about, visit http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/the_battle_on_the_home_front_special_courts_turn_to_vets_to_help_other_vets/

http://www.nadcp.org/learn/veterans-treatment-courts/veterans-treatment-court-news-and-events/-economist-veterans-treatme

Serving on a Non-Profit Board

I'm sure there are numerous individuals out there who are interested and eager to help serve on a non-profit board, but just don't know how to go about doing it. Whether it be the desire to reach out and help serve your community, or some alternative motives such as wanting to build up your resume, there is a proper way to go about being a member of a board.

Randy Hain is the Managing Partner and Shareholder of Bell Oaks, which is a nationally recognized executive search firm. Through Hain's personal experience throughout the past twenty years, he has concluded key points that he believes everyone should know before considering being apart of a non-profit's board. He states that anyone who wants to be on a board must initially ask themselves a few questions, such as does this non-profit have a good reputation? How much of my time will be required in order to serve on the board? When do we meet? Is there a minimum donation that I must make before hand? Am I willing to give this non-profit my devoted time and attention? Hain then continues to tell the readers that there are other ways to serve your non-profit besides just writing a fat check every month. Ideas such as volunteering your office or house to host a small gathering to discuss important events with the non-profit, giving donations in the name of your clients or supporters to other local charities and non-profits instead of giving them Christmas gift baskets, and holding a Forum for your business and inviting charities to be the sponsors are just a few of Hain's great ideas. Don't forget that the most important part when it comes to serving on a non-profit board is to never over commit. Only put enough on your plate that you can  handle!

Visit http://www.belloaks.com/insights/manage-your-career/9/48-a-road-map-for-effectively-serving-on-non-profit-boards to view the full article giving advice to potential non-profit board members

Juvenile Drug Court Fun Night!

A change of scenery is always needed, which is exactly what the Juvenile Drug Court had March 7th. Instead of the weekly drug court sessions held in the court room, the Juvenile drug court had the opportunity to have some fun at the YMCA in East Cobb! The Juveniles were able to enjoy group activities with each other while relaxing and eating pizza together. The drug court members played games together and had a fun time! We would like to send out a huge thank you to both Becky Shipley and Allen Stanley for making this night possible! Without y'all, we would not have been able to put on such a great night for the Juvenile drug court members to enjoy together. Thank you East Cobb YMCA for your generosity!

Meth Addict Turns Life Around

As if the last three incredible stories about how drug court has dramatically changed people's lives isn't enough, we have another amazing story we feel that we must share! The story of Gordon Pirkle Jr. will just give you a little more insight on how truly fantastic drug court is and how it has allowed individuals to make much needed changes in their lives.


Gordon Pirkle Jr. struggled with a hard core methamphetamine addiction most of his entire life. By the age of 18, Pirkle had dropped out of high school, gotten arrested for DUI, and lost his driver's license. His crazy behavior soon landed him in federal prison and completed destructed his relationship with anyone around him. Pirkle admits to applying super glue to his bottom teeth in order to keep them from falling out because his "meth-mouth" tooth decay was so bad. After being charged with federal crimes, such as possession, abetting, and aiding the distribution of meth, Pirkle decided he needed to change his ways fast. After pleading guilty in Superior Judge Jason Deal's court, the judge sentenced him to 90 days work release followed by nine months of residential substance abuse treatment center used for state prisoners. Pirkle wanted to restore his relationship with his father and wanted to be with him, so he chose Dawson's County two-year drug court program. Pirkle is now in his fifth and final phase of drug court and has been clean ever since. He said "he has succeeded at drug court because it required him to go to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings and attend group counseling sessions." Gordon Pirkle proudly exclaims that drug court has "given my life structure and made me accountable. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that drug court saved my life."

Gordon Pirkle Jr. (right) proudly with his father, Gordon Pirkle Sr.

To read the full article about Gordon Pirkle Jr.'s life changing story, visit http://www.ajc.com/news/drug-court-helps-man-1375637.html

Stability made possible after graduating Drug Court

The most rewarding part of Drug Court is hearing about the success stories so many individuals have been able to accomplish and share. Obviously being in Drug Court isn't easy; it requires constant accountability programs, countless drug tests, recovering meetings daily, and hard work. At the end of the day, reading about a person's life that has been totally and unbelievably turned around, due to Drug Court, makes every hard obstacle you have faced worth it.

Charlotte Whitlock is one of drug courts many success stories. Addicted to crack cocaine and living under bridges in cardboard boxes, Charlotte had everything she once had taken away from her. Her two children were immediately put in foster care when it was evident Charlotte was unable to be the mother to her two boys while addicted to cocaine. While sitting in jail one day, Charlotte heard talk about drug courts and figured she should give it a try in order to become clean from drugs and start her life over. After Charlotte's determined and vigorous time being involved with drug court, she has now been sober for over 1,000 days. A woman who once battled a hard core addiction to crack cocaine and survived breast cancer in the midst of everything is now a sober, successful woman who is ecstatic to share her story with the world. Charlotte states drug court gave her "a sense of stability to quiet my mind and my soul and put me back on the right track....Being patient and taking your time and letting your higher power answer your prayers. That comes from drug court."

 Charlotte (far right) with her sister and son

Charlotte with her son, Somorio

To view the AJC's full article about Charlotte Whitlock's incredible successful journey with drug court visit http://www.ajc.com/news/drug-court-gave-woman-1374365.html

Breaking free from addiction

Drug courts throughout the state provide individuals with the opportunity to become clean, sober and productive citizens again. The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently profiled a graduate of the Dawson County drug court, Tammy Jordan.

A series of bad decisions led to a methamphetamine addiction and multiple arrests for possession.  After ending up in an undercover sting as a party to the crime of selling meth, she was facing three to five years in prison.  In jail, Tammy heard about the drug court and, determined to become drug free, wanted to enter it.

After her father agreed to let her live with him, she entered the drug court program.  During her time in the program, Tammy never failed a drug test. She was required to call a number every morning at 5 a.m. to see if she needed to show up to take a drug test. “That number taught me stability and responsibility. If not for it, you could go out and get high whenever I wanted. With it, I knew, absolutely no,” said Tammy.

Tammy now works as an account manager, just bought a brand new car and has been reunited with her two daughters.

Read more about Tammy’s story here - http://www.ajc.com/news/family-support-gives-woman-1373025.html 

Drug courts save money and lives

The $1 billion annual corrections budget and the likelihood minor offenders sentenced to prison time often become major criminals has led the State of Georgia to consider alternatives to nonviolent crime. 

The low cost and success of drug courts throughout the state has lead Governor Deal to propose in this year’s budget to quintuple funding to $10 million for the state’s accountability courts.

A 2010 state audit found that 29 percent of state prison inmates with substance-abuse problems committed another crime within two years of release, compared to only 7 percent of drug court graduates. Drug courts also operate at a fraction of the cost — about $20 a day, compared to $51 a day for a state prison bed. The audit estimated that sending offenders through drug court saved the state $14 million in 2009.

The program teaches offenders responsibility, how to stand on their own two feet, how to pay taxes and be a good citizen, he said. “All of these things are conservative principles. We do not want them to be a drain on the government,” said Jeffrey Bagley, chief judge of Forsyth County Superior Court.

Bagley added there is no real downside to the program. “If they fail, I will sentence them,” he said. “If they succeed, society is better off.”

Read more details about the state’s drug courts including stories from some of Fulton County’s recent graduates.

http://www.ajc.com/news/drug-court-saving-money-1371244.html