Forsyth County DUI Court. Participant Handbook

Transcription

1 Forsyth County DUI Court Participant Handbook

2 DUI Court Coordinator: Jennifer O Kelley DUI Court Case Manager: Marshall Ogan The screening phone number is: Forsyth County DUI Court Phone: Fax: Cell: (Cell only for after hour Rx approval and emergencies) Mailing Address: 118 Castleberry Road, Suite 109 Cumming, GA My Sponsor s name is: Sponsor s phone number: June 2010 Revised Edition Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit DUI Court 2

3 Forsyth County DUI Court Program Integrity, Dedication, Accountability, Responsibility, Humility & Self-Worth Participants entering the DUI Court Program are expected to follow all the guidelines in this handbook. INTRODUCTION The Forsyth County DUI Court was organized in February 2006 under the direction of State Court Judge T. Russell McClelland. The DUI Court Team is a partnership among the Judge, the Solicitors Office, Probation, Law Enforcement, the DUI Court Office, the Treatment Provider Representatives, and the Defense Bar. The program is a minimum of eighteen months and consists of four phases. It encompasses vocational, educational, and spiritual components in conjunction with providing substance abuse treatment. Phase I provides an orientation to treatment, alternatives to criminal and addictive thinking and basic drug education along with urine drug and alcohol screens, breathalyzers, and DUI Court appearances on the 2 nd and 4 th Mondays of each month at 3:00 p.m. Participants enter treatment immediately and are continuously evaluated throughout the program. Participants attend group counseling sessions and AA/NA or other approved self-help meetings weekly. Participants in Phase 1 will be required to have a sponsor before being allowed to move to Phase 2. Phase II is the transitional phase that allows the participants to put into practice the skills learned in Phase I. DUI Court appearances will continue on the 2 nd and 4 th Mondays of each month at 3:00 p.m. as well as group counseling sessions and AA/NA or other approved self-help meetings. Phase III is the maintenance phase and requires participants to continue to attend group counseling, DUI Court appearances on the 4 th Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m., and AA/NA or other approved self-help meetings in order to become a responsible citizen. Phase IV is the aftercare phase. The participant is required to attend one group counseling session per month and weekly AA/NA or other approved self-help meetings. Random urine drug and alcohol screens and breathalyzers continue as do monthly Court appearances on the 4 th Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Law Enforcement home visits may occur during each phase. 3

4 This program provides intervention and serves as a meaningful alternative to jail for the participant who can function in the community with support. It is our goal to improve the quality of life and reduce recidivism for participants. Those who graduate will have a solid foundation to build upon in order to become even more productive members of our community. JUDGE S ROLE The DUI Court Judge has knowledge of the impact of substance abuse on the court system, the lives of participants, and the entire community and is, therefore, committed to the program mission and goals, and works as a lead partner to ensure its success. One way the DUI Court Judge leads is through assisting the treatment team in developing protocols and procedures for the program. In the courtroom, the Judge develops a personal, working relationship with participants while monitoring their progress. Your DUI Court Judge has many responsibilities beyond DUI Court. His time is limited. Direct contact with the Judge and his office should be avoided beyond the Courtroom setting. The Judge is not your case manager, personal attorney, and/or legal advisor. Information from yourself and your family must go through the DUI Court Office. It is not appropriate to seek legal advice from the Judge. The Judge attends non-court settings such as status review meetings to determine appropriate, effective sanctions for program violations as well as incentives for continued compliance. Such determinations are made using knowledge of addiction, relapse, and other factors (i.e., criminal history, gender, age, and culture) that may impact a participant s success. A further role of the DUI Court Judge is to advocate for the program by creating community interest and support for the program and to develop community resources to assist participants in their treatment. COORDINATOR S ROLE The Coordinator manages the daily operation and administration of the DUI Court program, which works to reduce the substance abuse and DUI recidivism of offenders. The Coordinator reports to the State Court Judges of the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit. The Coordinator reviews and updates the program policies and procedures manual and participant handbook to ensure that operations and administration comply with applicable local, state, and federal requirements. He/she also applies for and manages grant funds for the DUI Court. CASE MANAGER S ROLE The DUI Court Case Manager is responsible for ensuring that each participant is fully aware of all rules, regulations, and policies of the Program as well as monitoring each participant s progress throughout the program. The Case Manager also schedules and distributes the DUI Court calendar to the DUI Court team. The Case Manager is the central clearinghouse for all other information and communication, both for the staff and the participants. The Case Manager maintains records of participants residence, employment, payments, and other information. The Case Manager manages all participant files and maintains updates in these files. The DUI Court Case Manager can administer drug and alcohol screens to test for drugs and alcohol. 4

5 SOLICITOR S ROLE The Solicitor has many responsibilities to the DUI Court. The Solicitor presents each case to the Judge and assists entry into the DUI Court Program. The Solicitor attends staff meetings to determine appropriate sanctions and incentives for current participants. Such determinations are made using knowledge of addiction, relapse, and other factors (i.e., criminal history, gender, age, and culture) that may impact a participant s success. Another role of the Solicitor is to contribute to the efforts in community education and acquisition of community resources to aid the program. The Prosecutor educates peers, colleagues, and judiciary on the effectiveness of DUI Courts. It is not appropriate to seek legal counsel from the staff of the Solicitor s Office. Should you need to speak with the Solicitor, you must make an appointment to do so, court sessions are not appropriate for these types of discussions. In the event that you are terminated from the DUI Court, the Solicitor will make recommendations to the Court regarding your probation revocation. DEFENSE ATTORNEY S ROLE The DUI Court Defense Attorney represents each and all of the participants in the DUI Court who are not otherwise represented by counsel. The Defense Attorney s role is to evaluate the participants legal situation and ensure that the participants legal rights are protected. Additionally, the Defense Attorney effectively advises the offenders on their legal rights, legal options, treatment options, program conditions, and sentencing outcomes while developing a relationship with the offender that promotes the offender s long term best interests. It is not appropriate to seek legal counsel from the DUI Court Defense Attorney regarding matters unrelated to DUI Court unless you retain the Defense Attorney with personal funds. The DUI Court Defense Attorney also monitors participants progress and ensures the appropriate provision of treatment and other rehabilitative services. The Defense Attorney attends status review meetings to determine appropriate sanctions and incentives for current participants. Like the Solicitor, the Defense Attorney also contributes to educating the community and assists in educating peers, colleagues, and judiciary in the effectiveness of DUI Courts. LAW ENFORCEMENT S ROLE Law Enforcement provides accountability for your participation in this program through participation in status review meetings, sanction/incentive recommendations, and they will provide random searches of participant s homes, person, and/or effects and can perform drug and alcohol screens. For many, this will be the first positive interaction with law enforcement representatives and one of our goals is to build positive rapport between police and participants. Your total honesty and cooperation with all law enforcement is essential to be in compliance with this Program. PROBATION OFFICER S ROLE The Probation Officer may refer some participants to the Program as a result of having an alcohol or drug related offense while on probation. It is the responsibility of the Probation Officer to conduct the initial evaluation of each of these cases. If the person is determined to be a candidate for DUI Court, the Probation Officer refers the case to the DUI Court team through the status review meetings. The Probation Officer keeps the DUI Court team informed of all participants progress on probation by attending bi-weekly status review meetings and hearings. 5

6 The Probation Officer contributes to community education and cooperation with the program and acquisition of community resources to aid the program. In the event that you are brought before the Judge for a Revocation of Probation Hearing, the Probation Officer will make recommendations related to your sentencing. TREATMENT PROVIDER S ROLE The treatment provider facilitates all group counseling sessions and other recommended counseling. The treatment provider has worked with the DUI Court to develop a specialized curriculum for DUI Court participants that includes proven evidence-based treatment practices. The treatment provider also performs alcohol and drug screening on all participants. The treatment provider reports all participants progress or lack thereof to the DUI Court Office. A representative from the treatment provider attends all DUI Court staffing sessions and Court sessions. The treatment provider does not discuss sanctions or other requirements with DUI Court participants. All questions not pertaining to counseling should be directed to the DUI Court Office. COURTHOUSE BEHAVIOR Your attendance in court is a critical requirement of your participation in the Forsyth County DUI Court. Your behavior from the time you leave your automobile until you arrive in the courtroom should reflect positively on your DUI Court Program. This means NO loitering on the front steps of the Courthouse before or after DUI Court. Your attire should NOT include the following: shorts tank tops halter-tops hats sunglasses flip-flops open-toed shoes sleeveless shirts/dresses see-through clothing revealing clothing tight clothing excessively baggy clothing clothing with holes sandals Additionally, you should NOT wear clothes displaying offensive language, advertising alcohol or other drugs. Loud and boisterous behavior is unacceptable inside or outside the Courtroom and Courthouse. This behavior and attire is required for ANYTIME you are in the Courthouse or any other location that would be an extension of the DUI Court (such as graduation ceremonies or other Court activities). You must be punctual. Court is called to order on the 2 nd and 4 th Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phases 3 and 4 are required to report on the 4 th Monday of each month at 4:00pm (all phases need to arrive thirty minutes early). You will be advised of exceptions or changes to this schedule. Conversations should be minimal inside and outside the Courtroom. You are to remain seated 6

7 in the Courtroom unless directed otherwise. If you need to use the restroom, do so before Court begins. You are not to read or sleep in the courtroom. No food, drink, pagers, cell phones, gum chewing or other distracting items are allowed. Any distracting cell phones in the Courtroom will be confiscated. You are responsible for your guests and/or children. Do not approach or try to ask DUI Court Team members questions while Court is in session it is too distracting. When addressed by the Judge, you should stand and respond respectfully. [KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS AT ALL TIMES!!!] For example, Yes, sir and No, sir are appropriate. Speak clearly and directly to the Bench and remain in front of the Judge until dismissed. Do not interrupt the Judge when he is speaking to you or to another participant. Violations of Courthouse and Courtroom behavior will result in sanctions. SANCTIONS The Judge will impose sanctions on you if you violate program rules. If you have violated any program rule in which you would get a sanction, you MUST be in the next court session regardless of whether your phase is required to attend. Sanctions can include jail time, additional community service work, additional AA/NA meetings, or anything that is deemed appropriate for you by the DUI Court Team. In the event that jail time is required for your program violations, you must make sure that all personal matters are attended to prior to Court. This means that you must make arrangements for your job, childcare, vehicles, etc. if jail time sanctions are a possibility. Please bring all current medications with you when you come to court. Vehicles are not to be left unattended while you are incarcerated. If you purchase and/or possess alcohol while in this program, you will receive sanctions. You are not permitted to be in establishments where alcohol is the primary source of revenue (such as bars, clubs, liquor stores, etc.) RESIDENCE You will also receive sanctions if the DUI Court office does not have your current address (where you reside) or phone number. This address is defined as where you sleep every night. Notification of a change of address must be done prior to the first date you wish to reside at the new address and must be given to the DUI Court Office in writing on the Change of Address form. We will accept faxed change of address forms. Failure to notify the DUI Court office of your new address prior to moving will result in a jail time sanction. If you intend to stay away from this residence overnight, you must contact the DUI Court office and get prior approval. You must inform the DUI Court office the address and phone number where you will be staying as well as the individuals who will be in the residence with you. If you intend to spend the night away from your residence over the weekend, you must get approval before the weekend occurs. Failure to obtain prior approval could result in a jail time sanction. 7

8 If you receive a jail time sanction while in the Program, it is your responsibility to determine if you have a drug/alcohol screen on the date you turn in or on the date of your release from custody. If you miss the screen and were not incarcerated at the time of the screen, it will be considered a missed/positive screen and more jail time could be ordered. PROGRESSIVE SANCTIONS Progressive Sanctions will be imposed when participants do not move from one phase to another in a timely manner. Each phase has been assigned a minimum amount of time necessary for completion of the phase. Progressive sanctions will begin the week you are scheduled to move up if you have not submitted your paperwork to move up to the next phase. Progressive sanctions are imposed to encourage participants to finish the requirements and move on to the next phase in a timely manner. TERMINATION The Forsyth County DUI Court is committed to giving participants the opportunity to learn to become drug and alcohol free. However, your continued participation in the Forsyth County DUI Court Program is contingent on compliance with ALL program guidelines and regulations. Non-compliance can result in termination. We would be very pleased if no participant was terminated from the program, but we also understand that some participants will choose to continue to violate program requirements and there will be consequences for these types of behavior. Violations that may lead to termination include, but are not limited to: 1. Inability to remain clean and sober 2. Obtaining a new DUI charge 3. Forging of documents turned in to the Court (examples are forging AA/NA or other selfhelp meeting logs and community service logs) 4. Failure to attend and participate in groups 5. Threats or violence against peers or staff 6. Altering or tampering with drug screens (including dilution of a screen) 7. Some new offenses (all arrests need to be reported to the Probation Officer and the DUI Court Office within 48 hours of the initial arrest) 8. An accumulation of program violations 9. Chronic failure to pay program fees 10. Failure to follow program guidelines 11. Pairing Off or becoming romantically involved with another Accountability Court participant. 12. Failure to treat staff and/or other participants with respect We want every participant to succeed, and we consider termination as the last resort. Our goal is to help you obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, we also understand that not everyone who enters the Forsyth County DUI Court Program is capable of and/or committed to achieving sobriety. Our resources are limited, and the Court may determine that termination from the program is necessary. Be assured that this option will be imposed only after all other possible avenues have been explored such as increased jail time, increased intensity and attendance in ongoing treatment, residential treatment, etc. 8

9 INCENTIVES Program compliance and good behavior will be recognized by the Judge as an incentive to continue your recovery. Your initial jail time may be as much as halved (this does not refer to sanctioned jail time); you may receive credit towards your court fines by completing program requirements successfully; and you may receive credit towards your community service work by completing different requirements in the program. These are the initial tangible incentives for participation in the DUI Court Program. The DUI Court Team also recognizes a participant of the month for each phase and when each participant moves from one phase to the next. The participant of the month is determined by but not limited to progress in the program, lack of sanctions, and a good attitude. It is our hope that eventually you will recognize the benefits of an alcohol and drug free lifestyle and this will become your true incentive to stay in recovery longterm. TREATMENT FACILITY All DUI Court activities and locations are to be viewed as an extension of the Forsyth County State Court. Your behavior should reflect that understanding at all times. This includes all contracted treatment locations, community service sites, special events, and any other functions associated with DUI Court activities. Violations of program rules can result in sanctions and/or new criminal charges. All staff members of the Forsyth County DUI Court are to be considered as officers of the Court, and you are expected to follow their instructions. 1. No alcohol, drugs, weapons, or pocketknives will be brought to these facilities. 2. Groups will begin on time! You must be punctual, as tardiness will result in sanctions. You must attend and participate in the full session to receive credit. 3. Participant confidentiality is a must. What is said here, stays here! There will be severe consequences to any violations of this rule. 4. Free expression of your thoughts and feelings is encouraged; however, violence, threats or intimidation will not be tolerated. Extreme use of profanity is not acceptable. 5. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated!! 6. No comments about the physical appearance of other participants. 7. Leave group only in an emergency after notifying staff and the DUI Court Coordinator. 8. Dress Code: no inappropriate tank tops, short shorts, dark glasses. No clothing advertising alcohol or drugs is permitted. Clothing must cover all undergarments. All hats must be removed while indoors. 9. Pagers and cell phones must be turned completely off (not on vibrate). They will be confiscated if they are seen, ring, beep, or vibrate. 10. No visitors allowed. You will be notified of scheduled exceptions to this rule. This includes children and pets. Likewise, those dropping you off or picking you up from group must not remain in the parking lot or front lobby throughout group. 11. Smoking is permitted outside only. Place cigarette butts in the ash can provided. 12. No littering in parking lot or in building. You must be responsible for assisting in maintaining the cleanliness of the building. 13. Destroying or defacing property will lead to sanctions or possibly termination. 14. Pairing up with another DUI Court or any other Accountability Court participant for an intimate or close relationship is prohibited and can result in termination from the Program. 9

10 TREATMENT ATTENDANCE As a participant in the Forsyth County DUI Court, you are required to attend all group counseling meetings as assigned. You must be on time. Failure to report on time will result in a missed group or meeting. Being late to or missing check-in or group will result in sanctions from the Court. You must report 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of group for check-in. Failure to attend group will result in sanctions, and attendance will only be verified by you signing the sign-in sheet. If you do not sign the sign-in sheet (legibly), it will be counted as a missed group and will be sanctioned as such. PAIRING OFF Early recovery is full of pitfalls and relapse triggers. One pitfall that we can easily avoid is pairing off. Pairing off occurs when two people in recovery spend too much time together and/or become romantically involved. When this happens, the parties involved tend to confuse feelings of fear or vulnerability with feelings of intimacy. This tends to shift their focus away from their recovery and greatly reduces their chance of success in recovery. Early recovery is a period of profound personal change and self-discovery. Relationships formed during this period generally do not last because of the personal changes that are taking place. The person you may be attracted to today may not be the same person tomorrow. It is better to wait until you are stabilized in your recovery before entering romantic relationships. The exception to this rule is for couples that are married prior to being sentenced into the DUI Court Program. Pairing off includes, but is not limited to the following: 1. Suggestive or flirtatious remarks. 2. Physical contact, such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, or inappropriate touching. 3. Letter-writing or note-writing. 4. Physical isolation by a couple from the group or from peers. 5. Consistently sitting together or being together at scheduled or unscheduled activities. 6. Exchanging gifts or personal items. If it is observed that a couple is pairing off, they will be counseled to discontinue any such relationship until an appropriate time. If they continue to pair off, the matter will be discussed with the treatment team and sanctions (which may include termination) may be imposed by the court. On this note, no participants are allowed to cohabitate whether romantically involved or not. This includes participants from other Accountability Courts. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, contact the DUI Court Office. 10

11 PHASING UP In order to transfer from one phase to the next you will be required to submit a Phase-Up Request which can be obtained from the DUI Court Office or the treatment facility. The Phase- Up Request will need to be completed in its entirety (including that participant s signature, the treatment provider s signature, and the probation officer s signature). You will be required to complete an evaluation with the treatment team leader prior to phasing up. Please plan ahead when scheduling this appointment with the treatment team leader. Once all has been signed off on, you will return the request to the DUI Court Office for review no later than the Friday before DUI Court Monday by 12:00pm (you may drop the Phase-Up Request Form in the AA/NA box at the treatment provider or the black drop box outside the DUI Court Office). You will be allowed to phase up on DUI Court Mondays, and at that time the Judge will present you with a certificate to move to the next phase. If your phase up date falls between Court dates, the Judge may give you credit back to your official phase up date. You may turn in the request 2 weeks ahead of the intended phase-up date with all requirements satisfied. Please note all requirements listed on the Phase-Up Request must be completed before the phase up is allowed, and you will not be allowed to phase up if you are to receive a sanction on the same Court date (at the discretion of the Court). If you are scheduled to phase up on a Court date that is not your regularly scheduled Court date, you will be required to come to Court to receive your phase up certificate. Any and all questions regarding phasing up should be directed to the DUI Court Office. LEAVE REQUESTS In Phase 1, you will not be granted a leave request. In Phase 2, you will be granted 1 leave request and will be limited to a maximum of three days. In Phase 3, you will be granted 2 leave requests, but will be limited to three days per request. In Phase 4, you will be granted 2 leave requests, but will be limited to three days per request. Leave requests outside the country will not be permitted in any phase. You will be allowed to miss one group counseling session per leave request, but you will be required to make-up the missed group by the next Court date (and only after the group has been missed) unless otherwise allowed by the DUI Court Office. The make-up group cannot be a group from a higher phase. You will be required to submit written proof of making up the group session and this documentation should be signed off on by the treatment team leader. You are to complete all required approved self-help or AA/NA meetings on each leave request that is granted. The DUI Court Judge will determine if you will be allowed a leave based on your progress in the Program, and he will notify you if the request is approved on the Court date before the leave is scheduled. Therefore, if the leave is to be reviewed on a Court day that is not your regularly scheduled Court date, you will be required to appear on that Court date to find out whether the leave has been granted. These requests are apart from any emergency, subpoena, Court appearance, etc. This procedure must be taken in order to submit a leave request: 11

12 1. All requests are to be submitted to the DUI Court Office the Friday before the next DUI Court session by 12:00 pm, and the request will be reviewed the Court date before the anticipated leave. 2. All requests must have verified documentation attached. (Ex: Itinerary or schedule to complete self-help or AA/NA meetings while on leave.) 3. The DUI Court staff will screen requests, and only if they are recommended will they be presented to the Judge for consideration the Court date prior to your anticipated leave. 4. The DUI Court Judge will inform you on DUI Court Monday of his decision on the requests that the staff recommends. (If your phase is not required in court on that date, you will be required to report to Court to be informed of the Judge s decision.) 5. You will be required to submit to an alcohol and drug screen upon your return from your leave and a $35.00 fee will be charged to your New Hope account to cover the cost of this screen. You will need to call the DUI Court Office to schedule these screens. More leeway will be given to senior participants. In the event of a sudden illness and/or death of an immediate family member, you will need to contact the DUI Court Coordinator immediately. (Immediate family includes spouse, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents only.) If the death occurs over the weekend or after regular business hours, it would be appropriate to call the Coordinator s cell phone. Proof of your relationship to the deceased, medical records, and an obituary will need to be submitted immediately. FINANCES Throughout your attendance in the DUI Court Program, you are required to contribute financially through program and treatment fees. Treatment Fees You will be charged $ per month for Phases 1, 2, and 3 for your treatment. You will be charged $65.00 per month for Phase 4 treatment. All fees need to be paid directly to the treatment provider on Monday-Thursday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. and Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These totals include treatment and drug/alcohol screening costs (this does not include cost of drug screen confirmations). Drug screen confirmation tests that are sent to the lab and confirmed positive will be a minimum of $25.00, and will be added to your balance at New Hope. It is expected that your account will be paid in full by the 5th day of each month by 12:00 pm (or the very next business day after the fifth day of the month if the fifth is on a Saturday or Sunday). Please note that your balance will be pro-rated to $75.00 if you come into the program after the 15 th of the month or leave the program before the 15 th of the month. If you have any questions concerning this, please contact the treatment provider. DUI Court Program Fee You will also be required to pay a $50.00 per month DUI Court Program fee payable directly to the DUI Court Office in the form of a money order only by the 15 th of each month. The money order may be dropped in the AA/NA box located at New Hope, be paid in Court before or after a 12

13 Court session, delivered to the DUI Court Office directly, or placed in the black drop-box located on the wall outside of the DUI Court office. The drop-box located right outside of the DUI Court office is accessible Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you place your money order in either drop-box, a receipt will be brought to the next Court session. It will be your responsibility to get this receipt from DUI Court personnel. Probation Department Fees Probation fees will be paid on a monthly basis directly to the probation department. You will begin paying your Court ordered fines through probation after 12 months in the program. Your fines/fees should be paid by the 20 th of every month directly to the probation department in the form of a money order only. The probation fee includes drug/alcohol testing that is performed by probation, but if a confirmation test is sent to the lab, you will be required to pay the confirmation fee (a minimum of $25.00). Payments are accepted Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Note: The office is closed daily 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *If you cannot meet your financial obligations, it is your responsibility to discuss your situation with the DUI Court Office and develop a solution. Financial responsibility is considered an integral part of the recovery process. EMPLOYMENT You are required to submit proof of employment to the DUI Court Office by the 15 th of every month. You may drop this proof by the DUI Court Office in person, in the AA/NA box located at the treatment facility, or in the black drop box located directly outside the DUI Court Office doorway. Proof of employment consists of a copy of your paycheck stub, 1099 tax form as well as a letter from your employer stating their intent to file the 1099 on your behalf and documentation of continued work, or a letter from your supervisor on company letterhead verifying dates of employment. All questions regarding employment verification should be directed to the DUI Court Office. Full-time employment is mandatory in this program unless you have documentation that your are permanently disabled or unless you are a full-time student. It is the policy of the DUI Court Program that you may not work in a bar or restaurant where alcohol is served, nor may you work in any establishment where the primary sales are alcohol, such as a package store. Additionally, you may not work where narcotics, dangerous drugs, or other mood altering substances are available unless otherwise approved by the staff in advance. If you have any questions about your place of employment, contact the DUI Court Office. 13

14 MEDICATION As you will learn in the DUI Court Program, cross addiction is real. Many of you were already addicted or have abused more than one substance when you started DUI Court, but only had one favorite substance. You will find it quite easy to change from one mood-altering substance to another and continue to be addicted. As long as you continue to manipulate your mood with a substance rather than new thoughts and new activities, you will remain cross-addicted. There are many reasons that you may continue to feel the need to use a variety of substances. The first is insomnia (sleeplessness) and you may be tempted to return to using sleeping medications within a short period of time because of poorly developed abilities to get yourself to sleep (these skills can be developed: warm milk, reading, meditation, hot baths/showers, etc.). Pain is the second most common reason and if you choose to use mood-altering analgesics (painkillers), especially any of the narcotic drugs (Lortab, Percocet, Darvocet, Darvon, etc.), you are extremely likely to return to your drug of choice eventually because this will short-circuit your ability to control impulsive action. You have to be very cautious when you become physically ill, even with respiratory diseases (colds, flu, or pneumonia) because many of the drugs used to treat these conditions cause mood changes and decreased ability to control impulses. There are many compounds that will cause you to crave a drink/drug. For instance, many cough syrups have narcotics or alcohol in them. It is difficult to remember which drugs to avoid, so a general list of medications has been prepared for you what you can take and what you must avoid. You have to take responsibility for all of your future drug use because not every physician, pharmacist, or dentist knows about the nature of your condition and what you have learned. If you have a particular problem, be sure and discuss it with the DUI Court Office. No prescription drug of any kind is to be possessed or consumed without prior permission from the DUI Court Office, including any refills. If you must visit the emergency room/quick care doctor (for an event that has occurred after 5 p.m. or on the weekend), and you need prescription approval, you may contact the DUI Court Coordinator by cell phone. All other medication approvals must be during regular business hours. LET YOUR PHYSICIANS, DENTISTS, PHARMICISTS, AND ALL OTHER PERSONS THAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN YOUR RECEIVING MEDICATIONS KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN RECOVERY. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN THE MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RECOVERY! In the following pages will be lists of drugs you can and cannot take safely. This is a general list and does not include every drug available. Please pay close attention to the medications that you receive from your doctor to ensure long-term health and recovery from addiction. Remember, you are responsible for what you take into your body. If in doubt, do not use or consume!! 14

15 MEDICATIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL Do not use any amount beyond what is recommended on packaging instructions. *OTC: Over the counter *Rx: Prescription Advil (OTC) Tylenol (OTC for fever/pain) Meclomen (Rx) Aspirin, Ecotrin, Robitussin DM (5cc every 4 hrs. for cough) (OTC) Motrin (Rx) Aleve (OTC) Clinoril (Rx) Nalfon (Rx) Ibuprofen Feldene (Rx) Tessalon Perles for cough (Rx) Medipren (OTC) Toradol Naprosyn ANTIHISTAMINES (These are old types and are more dangerous - Use with Doctor Approval only and BE CAREFUL.) Actifed Alka-Seltzer-Plus Benadryl Comtrex Coricidin Dimetapp Dristan Ornade PBZ Pyribenzamine Triaminic Afrin Allerest Comhist Contac Dimetane Dramamine Histadyl Polarmine Teldrin Triaminicin The following are newer antihistamines and are safer. Seldane Hismonal Zyrtec Claritin (NOT CLARITIN D) DO NOT TAKE ANY MEDICINES CONTAINING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE or EPHEDRINE!! 15

16 MEDICATIONS THAT ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN BENZODIAZEPINES Ativan Clonazepams Centrax Compazine Dalmane Deprol Equanil Meprobomate Halcion Klonopin Limbitrol Milpath Miltown Serax Restoril Valium Vistaril Xanax Atarax BARBITURATES Amytal Na. Brevital Butabarbital Butisol Na. Donnatal Eskobarb Luminal (Blue Heavens) Mebaral Nembutal (Yellow Jackets) Pentothal Phenobarbital Seconal (Red Devils) Surital Tuinal (XMAS Trees, Rainbows) ALCOHOL After Shave Lotion Extracts (Lemon, etc.) Hair Tonics Medical Alcohol Mouth Wash Perfumes Sterno Wood Alcohol Cough Medicines (containing alcohol) OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) OTC caffeine preparations---nodoz, Vivarin, etc. OTC diet aids---dexatrim, etc. OTC antihistamines---dristan, Contac, etc. Sominex, Nytol, Nyquil, etc. OTC-Creatine Energy Drinks (Redbull, Monster, Energy Shots, etc) 16

17 ANTICHOLINERGICS/ ANTISPASMODICS Atropine Belladona & derivatives Donnatal Hyosoine Kinesed Levsin with Pb. Librax Pathibarnate Pro-banthine Scopolomine Valpin MINOR TRANQUILIZERS Equinal (Meprobamate, Miltown, Milpath) Librax Libritabs Librium Pathibamate Paxipam Serax Trancopal Tranxene Valium Versed Vesprin Xanax Ativan NON-AMPHETAMINES STIMULANTS Adipex-P Appedrine Bontril Control Dexatrim Efed 11 Fastin Ionamin Mazanor Melfat No-Doz Plegine Pondimin Prela-2 Preludin Prolamine Ritalin Sanorex Tenuate SEDATIVES Ambien Amytal Doriden Nembutal Parest Placidyl Seconal Sodium Luminal Veronal Carbital Methaqualone Noctec or Chloral Hydrate Noludar Quaalude Sodium Phenobarbital Sopor STIMULANTS Amphetamines (Adderall, etc) Benzadrine (Bennies, whites) 17

18 Cylert Desbutal (greens) Desoxyn Dexadrine (Dexies, hearts) Dexamyl Dexaspan Didrex Eskatrol Fastin Ionamin Methamphetamine (Speed, Meth, Desoxyn, Preludin, Prelu-2 (Methadrine) NARCOTICS/OPIATES/OPIOIDS A.P.C. w/demerol B & O Supp Bancap HC Cocaine Codeine Damason P Demerol Dilaudid Dolene Dolophine (Methadone) Empirin #1,2,3,4 w/codeine Empracet w/codeine Fentanyl-Sublimaze Fiorinal #1,2,3,4 w/codeine Heroin (E, Horse, Dope, Smack, Junk) Hy-Phen Hycodan Hydrocodone, Tussionex, Vicodin Innovar Inj. (fentanyl w/droperidol) Levo-Dromoran Leritine Lomotil Lorcet Lortab Mepergan Forte Methadone Morphine Nubain Numorphan Oxycodon, Tylox Pantopan Paregoric Pentazocine Perco barbs Percocet Percodan Phenaphen #1,2,3,4 w/codeine Phenzocine Propoxyphene Hd, Darvon, Darvocet, Dolene Roxicet Roxicodone Soma Cpd. W/Codeine Stadol Sublimaze (Fentanyl) Synalgos-D Talacin C Talwin Tic. Opium Tylenol #1,2,3,4 Tylox Vicodin Zydone Ultram 18

19 BROMIDES Bromo-quinine Miles Nervine COUGH SYRUPS containing: Codeine Hycodan Hydrocodone Oxycodone Tussinonex Alcohol HYPNOTIC/SEDATIVES (sleeping pills) Alurate Ativan B.A.C. Butalbital Butisol Carbital Chloral Hydrate Compoz (OTC) Dalmane Doridan Halcion Nembutal Noludar Nytol (OTC) Phenobarbital Paraldehyde Quaalude Restoril Seco Barbital Sleepeze (OTC) HALLUCINOGENS Butotenine (Dimetylserotomin) DET (Diethyltryptamine) 68 DMT Grass (Roach, Joint, Mary Jane) Hashies Hashish Ibogaine LSD (Lysergic acid, Diethylamide, Acid) Marijuana (Pot, THC) Mescaline Pailocybin Peyote Psilocin STP or DOM (4-methyl-2, 5, Demethoxyamphetamine) VOLATILE SUBSTANCES/ANESTHETICS-INHALANTS Anesthetics Nitrous Oxide Amyl/butyl Nitrate Paint Thinners Banana Oil Panthrane Fluothane Pentothane Freon Surital Gasoline Trilene Glue 19

20 SHOULD YOU CONTINUE TAKING ADDICTIVE MEDICATIONS, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED TO ALLOW YOU TO PRESENT EVIDENCE OF THE NEED FOR THESE MEDICATIONS. IF YOU ELECT TO CONTINUE USE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE DUI COURT TEAM, POSITIVE DRUG SCREENS WILL BE CONSIDERED SANCTIONABLE AND TERMINATION COULD BE AN END RESULT. DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING For the duration of your participation in the Forsyth County DUI Court Program, it is your responsibility to check daily to see if you are required to screen that day. Drug/alcohol testing is performed on a random basis; however, a breath or urine specimen may be required at any time. You must call the screen line EACH DAY to check for screening requirements. In the event that, for any reason, you cannot access this information by phone, it is your responsibility to report to the treatment center during scheduled screening hours. Regular testing hours are Mon-Fri, 4:00pm 6:00pm and Sat-Sun, 7:00am 9:00am. The two hour screening window is given to you as a courtesy. If there are changes to this, you will be notified on the screening line. If you have any questions regarding this, call the DUI Court Office. Late arrivals will not be allowed to screen and the failure to submit a specimen will be considered a positive screen. Tampering with or diluting a screen is grounds for termination from the Forsyth County DUI Court Program. Be aware of your daily fluid intake because if you drink excessive amounts of fluids, it could cause the screen to be dilute. You will be sanctioned for a diluted screen whether it was intentionally diluted or not. Upon reporting for a drug screen: 1. You must indicate an admission/denial of alcohol/drug use when you sign in for the screen and grant permission for confirmation of results if appropriate. (If you are taking a medication approved by the DUI Court Office, you do not need to circle yes on the sign-in sheet). This will be your only opportunity to admit/deny use for sanctioning purposes. If you do not sign in for a screen, it will be a sanctionable offense. Honesty is a crucial component for recovery and participation in the Forsyth County DUI Court Program. Self-disclosure of use will be considered by the Court when sanctions are imposed. 2. You must make sure that your name and the date is on your specimen bottle. 3. You will not be allowed to leave the testing facility or to drink excessive fluids until a specimen is rendered. 4. A staff member of the same sex must always witness the sample being given. 5. You may not carry purses, coats, bags, etc. into the testing area. 20

21 6. Hands are to be washed PRIOR to providing urine sample; shirt sleeves should be rolled up to the elbow; pants should be dropped to your ankles; shirts should be lifted to armpits; females will be required to squat and cough and not sit on the toilet seat; you may be asked to stop and start your urine stream; and you may be requested to remove additional clothing to ensure the validity of a specimen. The test cup must contain a minimum 1/3 level to be adequate for testing. If a drug screen is positive and confirmation is requested, the specimen will be tested again at a qualified testing center. A $25.00 minimum confirmation fee will be billed to your account if the screen is confirmed positive. You may not be able to stop using drugs immediately and recovery may not occur overnight. However, all use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and non-approved prescription drugs will be sanctioned. This is not intended as punishment but to encourage sobriety. Thus, the ultimate goal of drug testing is to provide accountability and confirmation of an individual s progress towards recovery. Remember, it is your responsibility to provide a clean, unadulterated, and testable sample. If you have questions regarding the screening procedure or dilutions, contact the DUI Court Office. FOURTH AMENDMENT SEARCHES All participants are subject to a search of their residence, person, place, or belongings at any time of the day or night for any reason having given such permission in the DUI Court Participation Agreement. Therefore, it is imperative that the DUI Court Office have your current address and contact information. While in the DUI Court Program, you will be required to submit a firearms affidavit verifying what types of guns or weapons you have in your residence and where they are located in your residence. Violations of this affidavit will be subject to sanctions by the Court. Additionally, you may not have alcohol of any kind or any unapproved prescription medications (prescribed to you) in your residence or vehicle. Sanctions will be imposed for violations. Upon conducting a search, you may be asked to provide a urine and/or breath sample for alcohol/drug testing. The same rules apply to these tests as those that are performed at the treatment center. So, if you choose to admit to use, make sure to tell the officer before the screen is conducted. Admitting use after the specimen is collected will be treated as a denial. If you have questions regarding the Fourth Amendment searches, contact the DUI Court Office. 21

22 ASSIGNMENTS You will be given a variety of assignments by the Judge or your counselor while in the treatment program. Our expectation is that you will apply yourself to the best of your ability. Assignments that show little or no effort will not be accepted, and you will be required to complete the assignment again. The Judge will sanction a continued lack of effort on your assignments. Your first assignment from the Judge is to write a Life Story or an account of your life. It needs to be at least two pages hand-written or typed but can be as long as you choose. You can include all of the events/experiences of your life or only a select few. You will also need to include 5 goals you want to accomplish in the next 18 months. Your Life Story is due on. You may bring your life story to Court or turn it in to the DUI Court Office. If enough effort is not put into this assignment, you will be required to complete it again. You will be using this assignment in a later phase of the DUI Court Program. Please note that only the Judge, the lead counselor, and the DUI Court Coordinator, or Case Manager will read this assignment. It will not be public information, and you will never be required to read it in front of anyone. TREATMENT COMMUNITY Cumming/Forsyth County is very fortunate to have a strong recovery community. You can find local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings by accessing the Georgia AA website ( or local Narcotics Anonymous meetings ( or by contacting your counselor or the DUI Court Office. Your required attendance at these selfhelp meetings will be verified by an attendance log that is given to you by the treatment provider and/or the DUI Court Office (you will need to make copies of this for future use) and signed off on by the group leader which cannot be a participant in the DUI Court or Drug Court. If a participant of Drug Court or DUI Court is leading the group, you must have someone else sign off on your log. This is the only exception of allowing someone else besides the discussion leader to sign off on your AA/NA log. Only one meeting per day will be credited towards your program requirements (unless otherwise approved by the DUI Court Office). You are required to complete 3 meetings per week. An AA/NA week runs from Friday through the following Thursday. It is your responsibility to make sure all information on the log is accurate and legible even if you did not write the information yourself. If incorrect information is written by mistake, you must draw an arrow to another day on the log and rewrite the appropriate information without any errors. You are not to change dates on the log after it has been written. You must submit the original AA/NA log: not a copy. Copies will not be accepted. If the AA/NA log is not turned in to the AA/NA box located at the treatment provider or the black box located directly outside the DUI Court office by the designated time (Friday by 12:00 pm), it will be sanctioned as failure to attend these required meetings. You will not be allowed to bank AA/NA meetings. An example of banking would be that you are required to do 3 AA/NA meetings per week and you complete 4 meetings one week and then 2 meetings the next week. 22

23 If you are given additional AA/NA meetings as a sanction, you will only be allowed to do more than 1 meeting per day if permission is specifically given to you by the DUI Court Office. Additionally, if you turn in documentation of attendance at a meeting you were late to, left early, or did not attend, it will be grounds for termination from this Program! This level of accountability ensures your commitment to the Program and our ability to identify Program compliance. Always remember that AA/NA meetings are anonymous organizations and that everyone is there for basically the same reason. It is NEVER appropriate to say to a friend, Guess who I saw at an AA meeting last night! Never address your physician, dentist, minister, attorney, or other professional person at a meeting by that person s title or last name. Anonymity includes both name and vocation. Don t ever ask a professional person for professional advice while at an AA/NA function. To do so can be a serious threat to the attendance and sobriety of that person, who undoubtedly needs the meetings as much as you. Also, do not approach participants of this program or another treatment program in public unless you have permission from that person. You may unknowingly breach their confidentiality and ultimately endanger their sobriety. If you have questions or concerns about confidentiality, contact the DUI Court Office. Remember the second A in AA/NA is anonymous. 23

24 Twelve Steps of AA 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and all other mind altering substances-that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics/addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. -Alcoholics Anonymous, 3 rd Ed.,