One year ago, Andrews resident Eric Collins was on the verge of spending up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of distribution of crack cocaine.
Today, Collins says he is a changed man and the drug charge has been expunged from his record thanks to a year-old program that gives some drug offenders a second chance.
This week, the Drug Court in Georgetown County marked its first anniversary with a graduation ceremony for Collins and three other people who have successfully completed the program.
Collins said when he was given the option of going to jail or taking part in the Drug Court program, he thought about his family and how much they need him.
“I would have left them in a huge bind if I had gone to jail,” Collins said.
So, he decided to give the Drug Court program a try.
Candy DeBusk, director of the Drug Court in Georgetown and Horry Counties, says it is a strict treatment program that is closely monitored by Judge Waldo Maring, who volunteers his time.
Participants must get themselves drug and alcohol free, which almost always means a big lifestyle change. That is the main goal of the program.
Collins said the changes in how he lives and who he socializes with have helped him improve his life.
“My decision making and thinking process have matured now. This has made me a better father and husband,” he said.
Assistant Solicitor Erin Bailey said when she was approached by Collins’ attorney about allowing Collins to go through the program she was not exactly sure it was the right thing to so but she agreed to the request.
“He proved to me it was the right thing to do,” Bailey said at the ceremony.
It started in Horry
DeBusk said the first Drug Court in the area was held in Horry County in August, 2005.
It started with three clients. The program has flourished through the years and currently has 70 participants in Horry although 275 have participated since the beginning.
It was expanded to Georgetown County last March after a grant was awarded to the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to help cover the costs. There are currently 14 active Georgetown County participants.
DeBusk emphasizes although the participants do not go to jail, the program is not an easy alternative.
Participants must attend drug treatment sessions twice weekly. They must attend self-help meetings, they are on curfew which means they must be in their homes at night. This is monitored by surprise visits by deputies making sure they are adhering to the curfew rules.
They undergo numerous drug and alcohol tests while in the program and remain employed full time. If they do not have a job they must submit at least 30 applications each week and participate in community service.
Violations of any of the rules result in punishments handed down by Judge Maring. For example, on Tuesday, before the graduation ceremony was held, Maring ordered one participant to relinquish his cell phone for a week and to write a 1,000 word essay because his phone rang during a recent court session.
He also ordered a local high school basketball player who is going through the program to write a 500 word essay about the sport because he was late for court.
If more serious rules are violated, such as failed drug tests, it could result in removal from the program and prison time.
Orrie West, a public defender since 1992, said the Drug Court program in important because “50 to 60 percent” of criminal cases she handles are in some way drug related.
DeBusk said Drug Court is growing rapidly nationwide because it keeps non-violent offenders out of jail and allows them to be productive citizens.
“It’s not an easy or feel good program,” Maring said.
For more information about Drug Court or if you would like to volunteer to help, call 843-915-8358.
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com