Jessica Dudley, the first graduate of Piedmont Adult Drug Treatment Court (PADTC), is approaching 400 days free of substance abuse.
“I came into the program at my lowest,” Dudley said. “I had decided the world would be better off without me… I’m proud of the woman I’ve become thanks to my support system. They picked me up, encouraged me… I will be forever grateful. It’s a daily battle but worth it.”
The PADTC team celebrated its inaugural graduation on Thursday, Aug. 24 at the Henry County Courthouse. Martinsville Circuit Court Chief Judge G. Carter Greer presides over the drug court and welcomed the program’s keynote speaker, the Honorable Joel C. Cunningham, a retired judge who oversees the Halifax County Adult Drug Treatment Court.
“The majority of our graduates are doing well in recovery with jobs — they’re taking care of themselves and their families, and this is why we work so hard,” Cunningham said. “Our criminal justice system recognized that we have to do business a little differently. The research has shown that (prolonged incarceration) doesn’t make that much of a difference… But when we do what we’re supposed to be doing, we make things better.”
Halifax County sees around a 70 percent success rate with its program, according to Cunningham. He said PADTC can expect to see similar results.
“(Drug court participants) are people who are incredibly strong to get to where they are,” Cunningham said. “Somehow, they find the courage to fight and not give up, and it’s hard… When drug court teams are successful, we spare families with individuals suffering from painful drug abuse conditions… We bring moms and dads back. We help to restore the family unit.”
Cunningham congratulated Dudley on her success and reiterated the key to maintaining success comes from utilizing the tools learned from drug court.
“When you see a person like Jessica transition from an unhealthy life to a hopeful and purposeful life… It’s a great feeling. Our role is helping people get out of dangerous situations into a healthy lifestyle.”
PADTC applied to the Virginia Supreme Court in April 2021 and received startup funds from the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia – Martinsville to begin operations. Kelly Koebel, senior assistant director of clinical services at Piedmont Community Services, said although referrals started off slow, they have picked up at a steady pace.
“We are fortunate with Harvest (Foundation) funding to have full-time staff dedicated to the program, and we’ve opened up participation to individuals with city charges,” Koebel said. “All of us (the drug court team) have the best interests at heart for the individuals. (Team members) are people who care deeply about the community and the people we serve. Jessica will always be our first, and we hope to have many more graduates that come through.”
Koebel also mentioned drug court was the dream of the late Jim Tobin, who retired as director of Piedmont Community Services in 2016. She said Tobin would be very excited to see this program become a reality in Martinsville-Henry County.
Upon receiving her graduation certificate from Quincy Gravely, justice support supervisor at Piedmont Community Services, and Judge Greer, Dudley thanked her treatment team, Piedmont Community Services, Pathways to Recovery Center, Community Recovery Program, and her family, who supported her during her treatment.
Gravely said Dudley stayed the course and gave it her all, even receiving peer support training and Narcan training, and is well on her way to becoming a peer support specialist. Gravely stressed the importance of all members on the drug court treatment team, including the nurse practitioners who support all participants.
Dudley also had a special thank you for Viola Rich, a peer recovery specialist at Community Recovery Program. She said Rich served as a mentor and role model throughout her path to recovery.
The Piedmont Adult Drug Treatment Court is a rigorous program for individuals with pending drug or drug-related charges. The program is a minimum of 12 months, with extended stays considered based on the participant’s progress. Following successful completion, the judge can rule in three ways: dismissal of the original charge; reduction of the original charge to a lesser charge with no active jail time to serve; or a suspended sentence.
Visit piedmontcsb.org or call (276) 632-7128 to learn more.
