Twenty-five years ago many law enforcement officials believed the key to solving the problem of drug-related crime was to incarcerate offenders.
Many thought the answer to the drug problem was to “just say no.”
But Judge Michael Barrasse believed rehabilitation was the key to reducing the drug problem as it related to crime. He advocated for a “drug court” program which would provide resources for those facing non-violent drug charges rather than prison time.
“I believe the implementation of drug courts will be viewed in future years as the defining moment when the American criminal justice system stopped warehousing addicts and began providing meaningful rehabilitation and holding defendants accountable for their actions by providing tools necessary for treatment,” Barrasse said during the first few months of the program in 2020, as reported in the Scranton Times.
Amanda Lipko a 2023 Lackawanna County Treatment Court graduate, welcomes others to the 25th graduation of the program. Lipko now participates in the group’s alumni association and works in the field. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Treatment Court celebrated 25 years Tuesday, following its graduation ceremony. (GERI GIBBONS)
Michael Mullen, Treatment Court Case Manager encourages graduates of Lackawanna County Treatment Court Tuesday. As Judge Michael Barrasse looks on. Henry, a supportive drug treatment canine, is shown in the foreground. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Treatment Court celebrated 25 years Tuesday, following its graduation ceremony. (GERI GIBBONS)
Well-known local restaurant owner, Russell Preno was the keynote speaker at the Treatment Court graduation ceremony. He shared his personal story from addiction to recovery, as participating judges look on. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF REPORTER)
Russell Preno (SUBMITTED)
During the program’s 25th graduation celebration Tuesday, Barrasse and others who work in the program, provided example after example of those who took advantage of the program to get jobs, attend support groups, reunite with their families and lead productive lives, deeming the program a success.
As about 40 current graduates of what is now called Treatment Court made their way across the stage to get their diplomas, presenters took a moment to look back on their experience in the program.
Some of them had been through the program more than once, others had planned to simple “white knuckle” it through and others experiences family deaths or illness. But, each of them overcame those challenges to make it to graduation, complete with applause and accolades from friends, family, fellow graduates and local leaders.
Barrasse compared their experience to his graduation from law school at 25.
“I was thankful for those around me including my parents and teachers who helped me,” he said. “It was a proud time for me.”
Barrasse went on to become a lawyer and then a judge.
“But, today as I stand here, I’m as proud of each one of you, the whole team and all the providers as I was the day I graduated,” he said. “For the work and courage that you had to put into this program was beyond what I ever had to do to graduate law school.”
“Because of what you have done, we all rise,” he added.
‘All rise’
In his opening remarks, Barrasse told those attending the event, to stand when they heard the words, “all rise.”
He said when offenders complete the program, reunite with families, and move toward fulfilling their potential, society collectively rises.
“Thousands of lives have seen success and gone on to productive lives,” he said. “And when that happens, we all rise.”
Other speakers echoed those words. Keynote speaker and local restaurant owner Russell Preno, now in recovery for nine years, remembered the day when someone told him to stop simply “coming around” and advised him to “come into recovery.”
When he put a mind-altering substance into his body during his active addiction, he always wanted more, whether that was a pill, a line or a hit off a pipe.
When he hit rock bottom and went to treatment, he began hallucinating and was convinced there was a microchip in his body.
“I was still out of my mind,” he said.
So, he was ordered to a psychiatric ward for 48 hours.
He remembers when the doors shut behind him.
It was then he uttered four words that changed his life: “Please God, help me.”
From there he began his accent out of active addiction and into a productive life. Now, he has the ability to choose his path, as do the program’s graduates, he said.
“This is your comeback story,” he told them. “Those who choose recovery are living a life beyond their wildest dreams.”
Long term success
Amando Lipko, an alumni of the treatment court class of 2023, said the program equipped her for recovery. In June of 2022, she lost her job and spend some time in jail.
She remembers Mariliz Loftus, treatment court coordinator, telling her about the benefits of the program.
But, Lipko initially resisted going into treatment court. She had heard she might end up staying in jail longer.
In an attempt to avoid going into the program which requires a daily phone call, Lipko told Loftus she couldn’t participate because she didn’t have a phone.
So, Loftus took her to the store and bought her one.
She remembers making those early morning phone calls which would indicate whether or not she was to come in for a drug test before 9 a.m.
It was hard. It required commitment. But, she did it.
Lipko now works at “Beyond Addiction” helping other women who struggle with addiction.
She continues to attend 12-step meetings and to meet with her sponsor.
“Treatment court made my recovery possible,” she said.