So I was Thinking

Regarding the 3 legs of the proverbial recovery stool the judicial system uses to rehabilitate soft offenders of the counties driving while under the influence of intoxicating substances I have the following thoughts.

I was involved in a 12 step program prior to entering the OWI court system for a 2nd offense in March 2016. I realized the first step completely pertained to me and I owned it all by myself without a “nudge”. It takes what it takes…I am very thankful for the program to this point and feel that the judge I am now assigned is doing an extremely good job and embraces recovery although not in recovery himself and not afflicted with the ism of alcohol nor the disease.

I see the 3 legs of the rehabilitation the judicial system is trying to embrace are; honesty & accountability, recovery program of action, and judicial support & community.

The recovery Program of action is offered through a requested number of “self-help” programs suggested as a method of staying clean, sober and abstinent while in the court system and creating a way of life to live without substance abuse.

Community support is integral and happens through the meetings that participants choose to attend where they are involved with other “FOP’s-friends of the program” and are brought together through congenial meetings in the courtroom where informal success celebrations or “accolades” are held for doing the next right thing and following the rules. This is also a time where participants receive corrective action for non-compliance with program rules and “discipline” is administered.

The accountability portion is the portion aka: “DROPS” this is the most penal of the 3 legs and where the focus of my thoughts have been. This is the most penal, and resentment building portion of the program as I see so far. When accolades are attained and a person is attending program meetings doing the next right thing and being to “DROP” and inordinate amount it is a felt penalty both in time and absolutely financial strain. This is a negative motivator and I can safely say in the diseased brain of someone in recovery-TRIGGER! What can be done?

I propose re-working the financial strain and the timetable so that it is a cost-benefit not meant to “catch” Friends of the Program but to enhance the strategy for living life on life’s terms and incorporate this into how we are regaining control of our lives in accordance with the law. By acknowledging the amount of time it takes for all substances to run the course through the body and working the individual permutations a calculation can be obtained for the exact amount of testing statistically to be done. This is a known data point, not arbitrary and but obtaining this number it could be ore-determined upon entering the Court program how many “DROPS” will be taken during the 14-16 month program.

I propose this dollar amount could be paid over time like the monies owed for court fees and a certain percentage could be worked off through community service and possibly light neighborhood work duty.

These are the thoughts of my ism and my ic not the HOL!