The program, started in 2015, aims to help those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and facing criminal charges get sober and get their lives back on track.

“Drug court is a prison diversion program,” said Assistant Webster County Attorney Hans Becker. “People are referred to the program after they’re arrested either on their initial charges or if they’ve already been on probation and they’re arrested on a probation revocation.”

The individual will be referred to the program either by their probation officer, the prosecutor or their own attorney.

The program is divided into five phases, which include early recovery, decision making, relapse prevention, personal planning, maintaining personal growth and long-term planning.

In 2021, Webster County Drug Court served 26 clients and celebrated four graduations. At any given time, there are about 20 clients active in the program, Becker said.

“A lot of people that come into the program, they have long histories of substance abuse issues,” he said. “Even people that come to the program at 20 or 21 years old, they’ve started their drug usage as young teenagers, or sometimes even before that.”

With drug court, clients are seen in front of a judge each week, must obtain a mental health evaluation and follow through with any recommended therapy or medication. They’re also required to obtain substance abuse evaluations and comply with treatment.

In order to graduate from the program — which can take about 18 months — clients have to obtain suitable long-term housing, gain employment and maintain long-term sobriety.

Also in this last year, the program added a new graduation requirement for clients — complete a service project in the community.

“It’s 24 verified hours of giving back to the community, and they have to present to the court what they’re specifically going to do,” Becker said.

One graduate did a dog wash fundraiser to raise money and dog food for the Almost Home Animal Shelter, while another collected coats for individuals at the Beacon of Hope shelter. “They actually try to think through how they’re going to make the community a better place,” Becker said.

Also in 2021, the Webster County Drug Court Alumni group on Facebook became very active, said Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll.

“This group is geared at creating a sober social circle and sober social activities and events for the Drug Court clients,” said 2020 Drug Court graduate Christina Christian.

Last year, Christian organized a T-shirt fundraiser to raise funds to pay for sober social events for drug court alumni and clients.

In 2022, the program aims to continue to help residents gain and maintain sobriety while staying out of jail.