A Palmerton man was rewarded in Carbon Count court on Thursday for his efforts to address a long-term drug addiction problem. Judge Joseph J. Matika did not impose any longer prison term on Barry Alfred Tindula, 34, on a charge of criminal use of a communication facility.

Tindula was arrested by agents of the state Attorney General's office after he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant. The sale was set up by a cellphone with Tindula and the CI and occurred in Palmerton.Since his arrest, Tindula entered the Salvation Army's inpatient drug rehabilitation program and was in it for a total of 176 days. He also spent 127 days in the county prison before being furloughed to the drug program.Tindula told Matika, "I want to thank you for the opportunity to get up there (Wilkes-Barre). It humbled me so much." Tindula admitted to a long-term drug problem and has had several prior drug convictions.Matika told him, "Quite honestly, you shocked the hell out of me." Matika said he had known Tindula through the criminal justice system for a long time, as a judge and a former assistant district attorney. He said he was happy the defendant finally got the help he needed.But he warned Tindula that, "You'll wake up every morning a drug addict. It's how you handle it is what is important." Matika said Tindula now has the tools to handle any urges that he might get to go back to drugs.Matika sentenced Tindula to time-served (303 days) to one day less 24 months in prison. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use, supply a DNA sample, render 75 hours of community service, pay court costs of about $1,000 an pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.