WICHITA, Kansas – It’s been up and running for nearly two years and county officials say the Sedgwick County Drug Court is having a real impact on felony drug offenders. One woman is now sharing her story.
Michelle knows all too well the realities of suffering from meth addiction. She spent three months inside the Sedgwick County Jail after being convicted of a felony drug charge.
"While I was in custody, I lost custody of my child, I lost my home and I started to suffer deep bouts of depression,” she said.
Michelle is a graduate of Sedgwick County’s Drug Court and shared her story with commissioners Wednesday.
“It gave me confidence in myself, which I had lost,” she said. “I lost everything about myself."
Sedgwick County created the Drug Court nearly two years ago at a cost of $650,000 to taxpayers. The program is aimed at providing those convicted of felony drug use a chance to rebuild their lives.
The goal of the county’s Drug Court has been to keep people out of the Sedgwick County Jail, which in the last few years has seen its inmate population continue to grow.
"The risk is certainly worth it to step out and create those programs for people in our community that want to help themselves, but just need a little support and push,” said Commissioner Tim Norton.
Since 2008, 156 people have taken part in Sedgwick County’s Drug Court. Three people have graduated the 18-month program and county leaders say many more are on the graduation track.
Michelle now has a job, visitation with her daughter and most importantly – she has her life back.
"I can honestly say that if it wasn't for the Drug Court program accepting me, guiding me and having faith in me, I would have continued down that destructive path and quite possibly I wouldn't be here today to share my story,” she said.
Sedgwick County’s Drug Court was modeled after the City of Wichita’s, which has operated for a number of years.
