Drug court graduate faces challenges

CLOVIS - Everyone deserves another chance.

That is what Hope Egerton was given Thursday night as she celebrated overcoming addiction and graduated from the Curry County District Court Drug Court program.

"I feel really great," said Egerton. "I'm excited to see how far I can come with this."

Egerton said the most memorable aspect of the program is the supportive team.

"Honestly, I would have to say the way they are with us, it's like family," Egerton said.

The most challenging part is not giving in to things, she said.

"The challenge is the smell of things and stuff like that," said Egerton. "The opening of a can really triggers me."

But the program is helpful, Egerton said, and she hopes others in the program feel the same way.

"Keep your head up. It gets easier as it goes. It is worth it," she said.

Tracy Privett has been with the program for a year and is graduating Feb. 11.

"I feel really good about it," said Privett. "I've learned how to not get dirty. I recommend it for everybody. It's awesome for people who are struggling."

Moving on after the program, Privett said she wants to be a guide to others overcoming addiction.

"I would like to help others who are struggling in here," said Privett. "Just be here for the other one's coming in here. If you have any issues, this is the place to be."

"It gives them the tools to stay clean," said District Court Judge Fred Van Soelen. "For us, if you make it through successfully, you have a much lower chance of going through again."

"It gives the participant the opportunity to clear themselves and recover," said volunteer Calvin Neumann, one of the area's drug court founders. "It is very valuable to see people who make a decision to come clean and to stay with that decision."

The drug court program used to serve both Curry and Roosevelt Counties, but the split into two separate programs in October of last year allowed them to reach out to more people, Van Soelen said.

Since then, there were 19 graduates. The program itself graduated 119 members since its December 2006 inception, Court Probation Officer and Program Supervisor Brian Forde said, with an 80 to 85 percent graduation rate, higher than the national average of 75 percent.

The program was brought to the district through the efforts of the now-retired judge Teddy Hartley.

Forde also said it was rewarding seeing the lives change of those going through the program.

"It's nice when you see them... they graduate, they're working and they have good relationships with their families," said Forde. "We've had individuals that came into the program who ended up expecting a child."