Drug court puts those facing addictions, jail on better path

CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — The past 10 months as a drug court probationer for Karla Monday has challenged her to become a better person.

“My favorite quote is, ‘It’s the worst best thing that ever happened to me,’” Monday said. “If it hadn’t been for drug court, I wouldn’t have turned my life around.”

In May 2014, Monday, a 53-year-old Kingsland mother of two adult children, faced a felony driving while intoxicated charge and an uncertain future.

“I had serious alcoholism and drug use,” Monday said. “I was looking at jail time, prison time and serious in-patient rehab.

“The thought of prison scared me. I knew if I got sent to prison, I would never come out,” she added. “They didn’t think I would make it. I decided I needed to recover from life, and I needed to start at the bottom.”

The adult probation office enrolled Monday into the 33rd/424th Judicial District Drug Court program.

After she entered a sober house for women and completed an intensive 12-step program, she climbed out of a hole.

“You got to want to change your life. You’ve got to accept the situation you’re in to become teachable,” Monday said. “Once you’re teachable, then you re-learn, learn why you’re doing what you’re doing and change your thinking.”

On May 11, program officials celebrated her achievement along with fellow probationer David Kolodziej during the first public drug court graduation ceremony in recognition of National Drug Court Awareness Month.

“I’m very proud and very happy we have it in our district because it provides an opportunity to folks who just need the help, who just need a hand to help pull them up,” said State District Judge Allan Garrett during the ceremony. “It’s not an easy probation to do, and only those who want to be here are successful. It truly is an opportunity to turn around your life.”

Missy Bindseil, adult probation officer for the 33rd/424th Judicial District, helps coordinate the court, which typically meets twice a month.

The court involves Garrett, State District Judge Evan Stubbs, the 33rd/424th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the public defenders office, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, coordinators with Open Door Recovery sober house for women and licensed chemical dependency counselors.

“Without the judges on board and the prosecutors, this would not be possible,” Bindseil said. “The recidivism rate is pretty high, and our main goal is to save their lives, not just public safety, but let’s fix the problem.”

The drug court was created 10 years ago in a cooperative effort between then-State District Judge Guilford “Gil” Jones and 33rd/424th Judicial District Community Supervisions and Corrections director David Nantz. Jones has since retired from the bench.

The district serves Blanco, Burnet, Llano and San Saba counties.

The court is supported by state funds provided through the Texas Governor’s Office and with collection of court fees.

Bindseil said she has witnessed the effectiveness of the program for those struggling with addictions.

“The people in my caseload, they’re addicts. They’re fighting a demon,” Bindseil said. “If they mess up, there’s going to be serious consequences. By the time they come out of drug court, these are your model probationers.”

Monday said drug court helped her see another pathway.

“I’ve been sober 10 months, and I am now in a management position, and that only came to be since I got sober,” Monday said. “Life is so much better when you’re clean and sober.”

connie@thepicayune.com