Carbon County’s drug treatment court is allowing some people to replace jail time with the opportunity to seek help for addiction.

Participants say the program asks a lot of them, but in return gives them a better chance to overcome addiction.

“It’s a program that’s for people who are serious about getting clean and getting their life better,” said Tammi Richardson, of Lehighton, a new graduate of the drug treatment court program.

Carbon County Drug Treatment Court held its second graduation ceremony in October. The ceremony celebrated four people who completed the program, as well as a veteran who completed the requirements of the county’s veterans treatment court.

The graduates each spent over two years receiving counseling and completing community service, while being required to undergo regular drug screenings and meetings with a judge.

“They truly get provided with a wealth of resources, support and accountability throughout the program,” said Richmond Parsons, Chief Probation Officer for the Carbon County Office of Adult Probation.

Drug treatment courts are growing in popularity across the country. Judge Joseph Matika brought veterans, then drug courts to Carbon County. He wanted to help the people who are stuck in a cycle of addiction and incarceration.

Many drug court participants have served sentences for previous convictions. They say that drug treatment court is much more effective in helping them overcome their addiction. Richardson said jail doesn’t help treat addiction, and can in some cases make it worse.

“I’m glad there’s a program like that for people - that’s what Carbon County needs,” Richardson said.

Just to get into the program, they have to show a willingness to change their behavior. During the program, that commitment is tested repeatedly.

Richardson was one of the first enrollees in the program. Addiction took her house and car. It also tragically took the life of her oldest son, who died of an overdose.

Richardson says that without drug treatment court, it is likely she would be back in jail.

While she still lives in the same town, she realized that staying sober required changing the places she spent her time, and the people who she spent it with.

“I stay with my kids, myself, and I work. I work and go home and that’s it,” she said.

Richardson said her counselors in the drug treatment court were more involved than a traditional probation officer. She is comfortable texting her counselor about anything.

The drug treatment court was initially funded by a grant. Parsons says the program has already shown that it is worth funding into the future.

“It seems like the vast majority are making effective, long-term change,” Parsons said.

Current participants in the program are required to attend graduation ceremonies. Seeing graduates talk about how far they have come can be a powerful motivator for people currently going through the program.

“Graduates show stigma isn’t true, these individuals can change, and there is hope,” Parsons said.