Welcome to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Drug Intervention Program. This Handbook is designed to answer your questions and provide overall information about the Drug Intervention Program. As a participant, you will be expected to follow the instructions given in Court by the Judge and comply with the treatment plan developed for you by the treatment team.

This Handbook will detail what is expected of you as a program participant. It will review general program information. If you are reading this Handbook it means that you have been accepted into the program based on a look at your history of drug/alcohol use and other encounters with law enforcement and it also means that we are confident that this program will help you to learn how to make successful choices free of the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The Drug Intervention Program is a five-phase intervention program for adults who have pled guilty to one or more non-violent felony drug-related offenses and who are having difficulty staying clean and sober. It is a collaborative effort between the Superior Court, District Attorney's Office, Probation Office, Public Defender, Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Substance Abuse Treatment Providers. By working together, they seek to provide a variety of programs and consistent supervision geared toward supporting and helping you maintain a drug-free life. The Drug Intervention Program involves frequent court appearances, random drug testing as well as group and individual counseling. The Court awards incentives for compliant behavior and imposes sanctions for negative behavior. Participants who do not comply with the rules may be placed in short-term custody, moved back to the previous phase in the program or a variety of other sanctions. They may also be terminated from the program. All of the staff working with the program will assist you to be sure you understand what is expected of you.

The Judge will make all decisions regarding your participation in the Drug Intervention Program with input from the Treatment Team. In addition to the Judge, the Treatment Team consists of the following members:

• Program Coordinator
• Treatment Provider
• Probation
• Law Enforcement
• Public Defender
• District Attorney

Prior to each court appearance, the Drug Court Team members familiarize themselves with your progress so that they may discuss that progress with you during Court.

Before each Court appearance, the judge will be given a progress report presented by the Case Manager and your Treatment Provider. The progress report will discuss your drug testing results, attendance, participation and cooperation in the treatment program, employment or other requirements that may have been imposed. The judge may ask questions about your progress and discuss any problems you may be having. If you are doing well you may be rewarded with reduced program requirements or, at times, other incentives like movie tickets. If your progress reports show that you are not doing well, the judge will discuss this with you and determine future action, which could include a sanction in order to help you remember your goals in the program. Sanctions can be anything from increased program requirements to jail custody.

As a program participant, you will be required to appear in Court on a regular basis. The number of times you must appear depends upon what phase of the program you are currently in. Failure to appear will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest and detention in jail until you can appear before the court. If you have questions about your court appearances you may contact the Case Manager, your Treatment Provider, or your attorney. The phases of the Drug Intervention Program are listed on the next page.

The Drug Intervention Program is an 18-month program divided into five phases, including the Continuing/After Care. You must successfully complete each phase before progressing to the next phase.

State licensing requires that your identity and privacy be protected. In response to these regulations, the Drug Court Team has developed policies and procedures that guard your privacy. You will be asked to sign an Authorization for Release of Information. This disclosure of information is for the sole purpose of hearings and reports concerning your specific court case. It is also important that we have an Authorization for Release of Information on file for your employer so we can verify employment status.

Consistent attendance to all scheduled treatment, court, and probation appointments is the foundation of our program. All participants are expected to be at sessions and appointments on time, regardless of circumstances. Treatment can not be effective for participants if they aren't there to participate.

From time to time a situation may arise that would prevent you from attending a session or appointment. If such a situation occurs, contact a Drug Court Team member at least three (3} hours prior to your scheduled appearance. A list of important contacts and phone numbers are provided on the last page of your handbook.

Decisions' regarding the appropriateness of an absence is a joint decision made by a team, known as the Drug Intervention Program Treatment Team. The Team consists of representatives from:

• District Attorney's Office
• Law Enforcement
• Program Coordinator
• Treatment Staff
• Superior Court Judge
• Probation
• Public Defender

• Documentation from the participant
• Participant's resources
• Participant's family and social support
• Avoidability of the situation
• History of absenteeism

From time to time, participants may experience difficulties, which may require emergency mental health or medical assistance. In cases like this, we encourage our program participants to use local community resources for assistance. For mental health issues or medical issues, especially withdrawal or seizure issues, proceed to the nearest Emergency Room as soon as possible. Please be sure to inform the E.R. doctors that you are a participant in the Drug Intervention Program.

During the course of your treatment, you may have the need to see a doctor for treatment of an illness or a dentist for dental work. It will be necessary for you to inform your doctor or dentist that you are in recovery for drug/alcohol addiction. Should it be necessary for a doctor to prescribe medication, knowledge of your potential sensitivity to drugs will be helpful in assisting your doctor to make an appropriate selection of a medication. Being in recovery doesn't mean that you have to suffer unnecessarily. It is permissible for Treatment Program participants to take prescribed medications as long as the prescription has been approved by the Treatment Director or Treatment Team. The same concept applies to over-the-counter medications. For instance, products such as Nyquil contain alcohol and could potentially show positive on Drug/Alcohol tests. Painkillers for injuries or dental work could show up on a Morphine test. You must call the Treatment Director or staff member prior to taking any medication!

If you test positive for medications that have not been approved by the Treatment Team, it will be considered as an attempt to use drugs and sanctions will be levied. Do not take medications that are prescribed for your family members. Do not exceed recommended dosage levels for over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medications.

During winter months, some clients may experience difficulty attending a session due to ice and snow conditions. The Drug Court Program generally follows open/close guidelines set forth by the Bartow / Gordon County School System. Participants should listen to radio/TV to determine whether the courts will be closed that day. If the courts are closed, then participants are excused from attending scheduled sessions.

1. Totally abstain from the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and any illegally obtained / abused prescription drugs.
2. Inform your treating physicians that you are a recovering addict and may not take narcotic or addictive medications or drugs.
3. Attend court sessions and treatment sessions as scheduled, submit to random alcohol and drug testing, remain clean and sober and law abiding.
4. Do not associate with people who use or possess drugs.
5. Do not possess any weapons while in the Drug Intervention Program.
6. Keep the Drug Court Team informed of your current address and phone number at all times.
7. As a condition of participation in the Drug Intervention Program, your person, property, place of residence, vehicle or personal effects may be searched at any time with or without a warrant, and with or without reasonable cause, when required by a probation officer or other law enforcement officer.
8. Dress appropriately for court and treatment sessions.
9. Abide by all other rules and regulations imposed by the Drug Court Team.

Upon the recommendation of the Drug Court Team, participants may be given rewards or incentives for compliant behavior. Common incentives are as follows:

• Praise by the Court/Judge
• Sift Certificates
• Movie Passes
• Sobriety Tokens
• Certificates of Recognition

• Community Service
• Warning/Admonishment from Judge
• Incarceration
• Termination from program
• No transition into the next phase
• Essay
• Increase meetings-2 for every 1 missed
• Increased court appearances
• Increased treatment sessions

• Missing and/or positive drug tests;
• Altered drug test;
• Demonstrating a lack of program response by failing to cooperate with the program coordinator or treatment program;
• Violence or threat of violence directed at treatment staff, other participants of the program or other clients of the treatment providers

As a participant in Drug Intervention Program, you are required to submit your person, vehicle and place of residence to search and seizure of narcotics, drugs or other contraband at any time of the day or night with or without a search warrant, without prior notice and without probable cause by any peace officer or probation officer.

Participants detained in jail after arrest will be brought before the judge for a hearing.

• You will be observed to ensure freedom from errors.
• If you miss a test, it will count as a positive (dirty) test.
• If you have a positive test in any drug court phase, the Judge, based on recommendations from the Drug Court Team, will apply immediate sanctions which may-include time in jail.

Two (2) scheduled tests will be performed every Monday and Friday from 9'.00am to lO'.OOam at the Probation Department. Participants will be given up to 30 minutes to produce a specimen for testing - if you can't produce enough urine within the hour then the test will be termed as a missed (dirty) test. All participants must come to these required drug tests.

Participants may not dispute positive results. However, if a participant has a positive test result and is facing termination for that result, he/she may dispute the test. Such tests will be sent to a laboratory that is approved by the Drug Court Team, for a retest on all drugs of abuse. In the event a disputed specimen is confirmed by the lab, the participant will be responsible for the cost of retesting. The lab will transmit back to us written confirmation on each test detailing which drugs are present and an approximate quantity level.

Random tests will be performed during the week as selected. Every participant will be responsible for calling the Drug Court Information Line (770) 606-5754 after 7:00 am to see if you are required to report for testing. Your color panel will be listed on the recording if you have been selected for testing.

Failure to appear or refusal of a drug test will automatically be considered as testing positive. If a participant is more than 15 minutes late for a drug test, he/she will be responsible for paying a fee in the amount of $25.00. If a participant is more than 15 minutes late for a drug test or miss a test, the test will be considered "dirty" and sanctions will be applied. Any efforts to dilute, modify, substitute, or alter specimen in an effort to pass a drug screen will be considered an automatic positive.

All Drug Court Program participants will be required to pay a program fee of $35.00. This fee is to be paid every week at the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court, located on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse. All fees are to be paid in cash or by money order. No personal checks will be accepted. Do not attempt to pay fees at the Treatment Program site.

Part of the recovery process is to acquire and maintain financial budgeting and management skills. Should a participant encounter an extreme circumstance, he or she should discuss the issue with the Program Coordinator to consider other options.

While we understand that some participants may be coming directly from work to attend group, or may be going to work directly from group, it is important to be dressed properly both in group and during Court.

Attention should be paid to insure that your clothing is tasteful and appropriate - if you have any questions - ask the staff. Participants who appear for group or Court inappropriately dressed will be asked to leave and will be charged with an absence for that session.

All participants will be required to participate in a minimum number of 12 step meetings (AA/NA) on a weekly basis according to the schedule below:

All participants will turn in the weekly Participant meetings record sheet each week for review and data entry. This form should be given to a staff member. The signature sheet will list the date, the place, and the signature of a group member. The meeting chairperson (the one that runs that meeting) must sign your sheet after the meeting. Most 12 step group members are used to signing sheets. Honesty is a foundation of 12 step program philosophy. The members of 12 step groups take the issue of honesty very seriously - respect your program.

You are expected to participate actively in the meetings. That means sharing your experience, strength, and hope with others. This can not occur unless you open your mouth and share honestly with others. These are people with years of sobriety and clean experience who are there to help you. They can only help you if you let them.

We encourage you to attend different meetings at different locations or times during your first phase. Each group has somewhat their own personality and perspective. One group may be composed primarily of younger adults, whereas others may feature members more advanced in age. Some groups have members with a lot of sober /clean time; others are geared more towards new members. Some meetings allow smoking, while others don't. Shop around - meet people - find a group you are comfortable with.

Once you find a group then ask someone to serve as your Sponsor. Your Sponsor will serve as a mentor and assist you in working the steps. Pick someone who makes sense to you. Also, pick a sponsor that is the same gender as you. Mixed gender / same sex orientation is not acceptable by the Drug Court Team. Once you find a sponsor, he/she must contact either the Coordinator or Treatment Director for confirmation of sponsorship.

1. All requests must be submitted to your counselor/cose manager a minimum of one week in advance.
2. All requests must have verified documentation attached. (For example: all documents provided by doctors, school, work, or court must be on letterhead explaining the situation and signed by a person in authority, including a phone number.)
3. The Drug Court Team will screen requests and recommend whether they be presented to the Judge for consideration.
4. The Judge will grant or deny requests.

Only legitimate excuses will be considered. For example, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, concerts, etc... are not legitimate. In the event of a sudden illness and or death of an immediate family member, of course, proceed as needed. (Immediate family includes spouse, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents only). Contact the program Coordinator by phone on the next working day and submit proof of relationship, medical records or an obituary upon your return to treatment. You may be asked by the Team to obtain an attendance form and have it signed by an employee of the Funeral Service location.

All participants are required to be employed full-time (32 Hours per week) unless otherwise approved by the Judge. If unemployed or not enrolled as a full time student, you will receive an Employment Search Form every Monday from your treatment provider. For Bartow County participants, this form must be returned to the Coordinators office by l:00pm each day to discuss employment search. Gordon County participants must call the Coordinator and fax the form to receive instructions for Community Service information. If employment is not obtained, all participants will be required to immediately report to a designated location to perform a minimum of 4 hours of community service. This process will be required daily until suitable employment is obtained. Documentation of employment search will be required.

A daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is required in Phases 1 and 2. Any exceptions to this curfew must be approved by the Drug Court Team.

• STAY CLEAN AND SOBER
• ATTEND COURT EVERY WEEK - COURT IS HELD ON FRIDAY
• ATTEND TREATMENT / GROUP SESSIONS 5 DAYS PER WEEK
• ATTEND INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT AS INSTRUCTED BY TREATMENT
• ATTEND 1 FAMILY COUNSELING / EDUCATION SESSION EACH MONTH
• ATTEND AND DOCUMENT ATLEAST 5 NA / AA MEETINGS PER WEEK
• ESTABLISH A SPONSOR / COMMUNICATE WEEKLY
• MEET WITH COORDINATOR 1 TIME PER WEEK
• PAY PROGRAM FEES - $35.00
• SUBMIT TO REQUIRED AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING
• BEGIN SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT unless ENROLLED AS A FULL TIME STUDENT
• ABIDE BY SET CURFEW TIME-10:00 PM-6:00 AM
• BEGIN ACTIVE PLAN TO OBTAIN GED
  IF YOU HAVE A DIPLOMA OR GED, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A COPY TO THE TREATMENT PROVIDER OR COORDINATOR
• COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME

• STAY CLEAN AND SOBER
• ATTEND COURT EVERY WEEK - COURT IS HELD ON FRIDAY
• ATTEND TREATMENT / GROUP SESSIONS 4 DAYS PER WEEK
• ATTEND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS AS DIRECTED BY TREATMENT
• ATTEND 1 FAMILY COUNSELING SESSION EACH MONTH
• ATTEND AND DOCUMENT ATLEAST 3 NA / AA MEETINGS PER WEEK
• MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH SPONSOR WEEKLY
• MEET WITH COORDINATOR 1 TIME PER WEEK
• PAY PROGRAM FEES $35.00
• SUBMIT TO REQUIRED AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING
• MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT OP FULL TIME STUDENT
• ABIDE BY SET CURFEW - 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
• EDUCATION SCREENING / GED ENROLLMENT
• COMPLETE All ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME

• STAY CLEAN AND SOBER
• ATTEND COURT EVERY WEEK - COURT IS HELD ON FRIDAY
• ATTEND GROUP SESSIONS 3 TIMES PER WEEK
• ATTEND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS AS DIRECTED BY TREATMENT
• ATTEND 1 FAMILY COUNSELING SESSION PER MONTH
• ATTEND AND DOCUMENT ATLEAST 3 NA / AA MEETINGS PER WEEK
• MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH SPONSOR WEEKLY
• MEET WITH COORDINATOR 1 TIME PER MONTH
• PAY PROGRAM FEES $35.00
• SUBMIT TO REQUIRED AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING
• MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT or FULL TIME STUDENT
• ACTIVE IN OBTAINING GED
• COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME

• STAY CLEAN AND SOBER
• ATTEND COURT ON DAY HELD IN YOUR RESIDENT COUNTY (every other Friday)
• ATTEND TREATMENT SESSIONS 2 TIMES PER WEEK
• ATTEND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS AS DIRECTED BY TREATMENT
• ATTEND 1 FAMILY COUNSELING / EDUCATION SESSION EACH MONTH
• ATTEND AND DOCUMENT ATLEAST 3 NA / AA MEETING PER WEEK
• MAINTAIN SPONSOR / WEEKLY COMMUNICATION
• MEET OR CALL COORDINATOR 1 TIME PER MONTH
• PAY PROGRAM FEES $35.00
• SUBMIT TO REQUIRED AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING
• MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT or FULL TIME STUDENT
• ACTIVE IN COMPLETING GED REQUIREMENTS
• COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME

• STAY CLEAN AND SOBER
• ATTEND COURT 1 TIME PER MONTH (FIRST FRIDAY)
• ATTEND 1 GROUP SESSION PER WEEK
• ATTEND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS AS DIRECTED BY TREATMENT
• ATTEND 1 FAMILY COUNSELING SESSION PER MONTH
• ATTEND AND DOCUMENT ATLEAST 3 NA / AA MEETING PER WEEK
• MAINTAIN SPONSOR COMMUNICATION WEEKLY
• CALL COORDINATOR 1 TIME PER WEEK
• PAY PROGRAM FEES $35.00
• SUBMIT TO REQUIRED AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING
• MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT or FULL TIME STUDENT
• MUST HAVE OBTAINED GED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION
• COMPLETE GRADUATION PACKET / MUST ATTEND AS A MENTOR TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS AFTER FRIDAY COURT
• 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE
• WRITE LETTER OF APOLOGY AND INVITATION TO ARRESTING OFFICER
• EXIT / INTERVIEW

Graduation from the program is recognized as a very important event. Your loved ones will be invited to join you at a special ceremony as the Drug Court Team congratulates you for successfully completing Phases 1 - 5 of the program and achieving your goal to establish a drug-free life.

1. You will totally abstain from the use of illegal drugs and alcohol.
2. You will inform all treating physicians that you are a recovering addict and may not take narcotic or addictive medications or drugs.
3. You will attend court sessions and treatment sessions as scheduled, submit to required and random alcohol and drug testing, remain clean and sober and law abiding.
4. You will not associate with people who use or possess drugs, nor will you be present while drugs or alcohol are being used by others.
5. You will not possess any weapons while in the program and will disclose the presence of any weapons possessed by anyone else in your household.
6. You will keep the treatment team informed of your current address and phone number at all times.
7. As a condition of participation in the Drug Intervention Program, your person, property, place of residence, vehicle or personal effects may be searched at any time with or without a warrant, and with or without reasonable cause, when required by a probation officer or other law enforcement officer.
8. You will dress appropriately for court and treatment sessions. You are expected to wear a shirt or blouse, pants, dress or skirt of reasonable length. Shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing bearing violent, racist, sexist, drug or alcohol-related themes or promoting or advertising alcohol or drug use is considered inappropriate. Hats may not be worn. Gang attire is also inappropriate.
9. You will abide by all other rules and regulations imposed by the Drug Court Team.

Each participant accepted into the Drug Treatment Court Program will be required to attend treatment sessions located at:

Each participant will be required to attend AA/NA meetings, in addition to the treatment sessions. A 12-step meeting schedule is as follows:

Each participant will be required to attend court sessions as follows:

• Each participant is financially responsible for a program fee of $35.00 every week.
• Each participant is expected to be gainfully employed or in school full-time.
• The program is a minimum of 18 months.

Phase 1 (minimum of 2 months)
Phase 2 (minimum of 3 months)
Phase 3 (minimum of 5 months)
Phase 4 (minimum of 4 months)
Phase 5 (minimum of 4 months)

Each participant accepted into the Drug Treatment Court Program will be required to attend treatment sessions located at:

Each participant will be required to attend AA/NA meetings, in addition to the treatment sessions. A 12-step meeting schedule is as follows:

Each participant will be required to attend court sessions as follows:

• Each participant is financially responsible for a payment of $35.00 every week.
• Each participant is expected to be gainfully employed or in school full-time.
• The program is a minimum of 18 months.

Phase 1 (minimum of 2 months)
Phase 2 (minimum of 3 months)
Phase 3 (minimum of 5 months)
Phase 4 (minimum of 4 months)
Phase 5 (minimum of 4 months)

BARTOW COUNTY RESOURCES

GORDON COUNTY RESOURCES