Drug court grads gain judge’s praise

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CALAIS – Two men from the Pleasant Point reservation and a Milbridge woman whose college years have been on hold gained tremendous praise from the judge in the Calais District Court on Friday afternoon.

Two dozen other colleagues also chimed in with congratulations, tears and words of hope.

The occasion honored the three newest graduates of Washington County’s Adult Drug Treatment Court.

The two men, Joseph “Roy” Neptune and Sugum Francis, are the first two Indians from Pleasant Point to complete the one-year program, Judge John Romei noted as he handed them diplomas.

Milbridge’s Sara Snider, who would have been the valedictorian of Narraguagus High School’s Class of 2002, also made it through the program, commonly called “drug court.”

Together, they represent the kind of turnaround in lives that Romei believes is possible through the relatively new program.

“This really works,” Romei said in an interview afterward. “When you see mothers and grandmothers crying, you know it works.”

All three of Friday’s celebrants had landed in the court system after having committed burglaries.

An alternative to incarceration for crimes caused by or involving drug addiction, drug court is a money-saver for taxpayers and a lifesaver for its clients. Maine has offered drug courts in six counties for nearly three years.

Romei oversees the Washington County program, which meets Fridays, alternating between the courtrooms in Calais and Machias.

There are currently 26 clients, who choose and are screened for the program instead of going to jail. They work weekly with Romei and a group of supporting professionals called “the team.”

Twenty-seven more clients, including Friday’s three, have graduated from this program. Some go back to the Friday court sessions to encourage others in their personal progress. Enough of them have stayed so connected that they are starting a “drug court alumni association.”

But 29 others who attempted the program were terminated from it for various rule violations.

Those who get kicked out must finish their sentences within the Department of Corrections.

Those who make it through move on to probation and, many hope, new skills to help them make better choices.

The yearlong program is demanding. Clients commit to sobriety and focus on their recovery. They are required to attend 90 12-step programs in their first 90 days. They must attend at least five similar meetings each week for the rest of the year.

They live with curfews, random testing and meetings with counselors. They keep journals and must appear before the judge once a week.

Romei quizzes them, in a supportive manner, about their work and family lives and goals.

Friday clearly belonged to Neptune, Francis and Snider.

Many of their friends and family members joined them in the courtroom. For Neptune and Francis, support also came from tribal members.

“Come home and lead the way,” said a woman who identified herself as a baby sitter for Francis’ son. “Everyone has been bragging up a storm on you guys.”

Neptune, 30, told the court he wants to study the Passamaquoddy language.

Francis, 27, told Bill Love, his probation officer, that “I finally understand,” after more than a year of regular meetings in which he was forced to tell the truth.

Snider, 20, thanked the court for setting her straight after she had made many headlines for her various arrests.

Addressing Paul Cavanaugh, the assistant district attorney, she said: “I’m glad you wanted me to go to jail, because I never would have ‘gotten it’ if I hadn’t done this.”

Snider, who has been clean and sober for 13 months, was eligible for drug court because of her attitude and commitment.

She has spent the last year working as a waitress at the Red Barn Restaurant in Milbridge, but can now move on to a bigger goal. She will attend Maine Maritime Academy to study n engineering.

“I’m so proud of her,” Romei said later. “Someone like that will really make a difference.”