Fawn Vessels, a graduate of Treatment Court, speaks to the Green River City Council Tuesday night about how the program helped her turn her life around.
A program designed to help addicts receive treatment and overcome their addictions through court-ordered intervention is having a positive impact in Sweetwater County.
Treatment Court is a non-profit program operated through a partnership between local law enforcement, the Sweetwater County Attorney's Office, Circuit Court and other organizations and aims to help divert people facing drug charges away from addiction and the problems addiction can cause them.
For Kiesha Martinez, the program led to her receiving an associate of arts degree from Western Wyoming Community College in psychology. She currently studies at Casper College and aims to eventually help other addicts in the same situation she was in. Martinez was in the program for 14 months, being recommended for admission after she was arrested for a substance abuse charge. Martinez said the program's strict structure and expectations helped her in earning her associates degree and keeping her away from problematic situations. One of the aspect's Martinez said helped her the most is having to account for where her time was spent and keep to a strict daily schedule. Before the program, Martinez said she would regularly leave her home to entertain herself if she felt board.
"Now, I just stay home if I have nothing to do," she said.
Fawn Vessels, another graduate of the program, said Treatment Court has helped liberate her in ways she didn't expect. She recalls being terrified at first because of the high expectations the program placed on her, but has she bonded with other people facing the same challenges she does, referring to them as her recovery family. One of the biggest challenges she faced in the program involved getting a driver's license for the first time, having originally relied on family for transportation. She said the thought of having her own license was fearful at first, but has never had the sense of independence she now experiences as a result of receiving it.
Both Martinez and Vessels said the program has also led to the two of them changing their views on law enforcement, with both saying they don't see them in a negative light following the program. Both also expressed gratitude with how the program shows pride in its graduates.
"Never in a million years did I think someone would invite me to a city Council meeting," Vessels said.
Augusta Clayton-Davis, the Coordinator of Treatment Court of Sweetwater County, spoke to both the Sweetwater County Commissioners and the Green River City Council Tuesday to give an annual update on how the program has done over the past year.
Clayton-Davis said the program, which operates out of the Sweetwater County Justice Center, has had a successful year. It served 29 participants and had 10 graduates. Some of the things program participants were able to do included obtaining driver's licenses, getting their GEDs, enrolling in college and moving into their own housing. The program also helps participants set personal goals and offers a career development program as well as counseling and treatment options.
"We want to give them all the skills needed in order for them to be successful after the program," Clayton-Davis said.
The Treatment Court also hosts family and alumni events each month to help those who have graduated and continue their recovery process. The organization also participates in events like United Way's Helping Hands Day as a way to give back to the community.
Clayton-Davis said the Treatment Court has multiple benefits for those who participate and for the community.
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