More than 200 students and faculty entered McIntyre Lounge for a presentation on Drug Court during the 12th annual Stephen D. Doyle Conference Criminal Justice Symposium on April 11 at Saint Peter’s College.
“Attending the Doyle Conference was very insightful and an overall great experience,” said Amanda Rice ’12, a psychology major. The program taught Rice about Drug Court’s strict programs for non-violent offenders involved with the abuse of alcohol and drugs, which includes frequent drug tests, court appearances and participation in treatment and counseling services with trained professionals. She also learned that "Drug Court helps offenders with such issues like education and job training, which helps them gain the resources they need so they do not have to resort to drugs, alcohol and crime.”
According to the Superior Court of California’s website, Drug Court handles cases involving substance-abusing offenders through comprehensive supervision, drug testing, treatment services and immediate sanctions and incentives. It offers individuals facing criminal charges for drug use and possession an opportunity to enter a substance abuse recovery program instead of jail time. Drug Court recently made state headlines in early March when Governor Chris Christie proposed the expansion of a mandatory treatment program over jail time for nonviolent drug offenders.
Moderator of the program Kevin Callahan ’69, lecturer of criminal justice at the College and a former Superior Court judge, chose Drug Court as the topic of this year’s program because “sadly, drugs affect all of us in some way, either as a victim of crime by someone on drugs or committing criminal acts to obtain them.”
He added, “Additionally, people, regardless of wealth or status, fall victim to the scourge of drugs individually or through family or friends afflicted with this addiction.”
The program featured several guests educated in Drug Court: Chief Drug Court Judge of Hudson County the Honorable Sheila Venable, J.S.C.; Keynote Speaker and Drug Court Coordinator Patricia DellOsso; and the critical components of a drug court hearing, including a prosecutor and defense attorney.
The presentation also featured two graduates of the Drug Court program, Ernestine and Ernesto. Both individuals were drug offenders who had been processed in the Criminal Justice System and pled guilty to avoid jail time. Both parties entered a long term inpatient program under the direct supervision of the Drug Court.
“Ernestine is a 50-year-old grandmother who, 15 years ago, was facing prison for eight years by court sentence,” said Callahan. “Coincidentally, I was her judge. [She] successfully completed long term care. Ernesto is a 29 year old who
related his drug addicted troubles and was successful [in the program], as well.”
Ernestine’s story had a powerful impact on Nicolas Garcia ’13, a criminal justice major who attended the event. He said. “She was very honest about it, and very upfront. When she started out, her first sentence was, ‘I am an addict and I always will be.’ But then she talked about how the Drug Court system has kept her clean. It’s keeping her out of prison, and she’s on to civilian life.”
The Doyle Conference annually addresses a topical and current criminal justice issue. According to Callahan, “The study of criminals and their reasons for entry into the netherworld of crime requires a deep and full understanding of why the great majority do so. The overwhelming reason is addiction. A better understanding of why is therefore crucial to one interested in the law as a profession.”