Article published November 18, 2008
Marijuana program counsels offenders
Option allows charges to be dropped
From left, Nancy Swindel, driver intervention program coordinator for Behavioral Connections, Prosecutor P. Martin Aubry, and Perrysburg Municipal Judge S. Dwight Osterud think the overnight weekend program offered at Nazareth Hall near Grand Rapids by Behavioral Connections of Wood County is beneficial and will help offenders understand how marijuana use has affected their lives.
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THE BLADE/LORI KING
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By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Judge S. Dwight Osterud of Perrysburg Municipal Court likes the new option he has of allowing an individual charged with possession of marijuana to undergo an intensive weekend of counseling and education at their expense.
"It's only used for individuals who have no prior record, in other words they made a stupid mistake, which almost all of us make in our lifetime at least once, and it gives them a chance to correct the situation," he said.
Charges are dismissed against those who successfully complete the overnight, weekend program now offered at Nazareth Hall near Grand Rapids by Behavioral Connections of Wood County.
"I think in the long run it's beneficial for them," Judge Osterud said. "They are taught certain things that I'm sure they didn't know before. In the long run, I think it works."
Nancy Swindel, driver intervention program coordinator for Behavioral Connections, said, like the long-running, three-day driver intervention program the agency offers for people convicted of drunken driving offenses, she is hoping the 48-hour, adult marijuana program will serve offenders from surrounding counties. She already has had interest from Fulton and Sandusky counties.
"We've had two groups go through the program now, and we are just thrilled with the results we've seen," she said. "Individuals are coming in with no real perception of how marijuana is impacting their lives."Through intensive small group sessions, self-reflection, and training in quitting skills, stress management, coping and problem-solving skills, the participants leave with a better understanding of how marijuana use negatively affects them, she said.
"It's forcing them to stop and think about their personal lives, what they're doing, and how it's affecting their relationships, their ability to do their jobs, their lives," Ms. Swindel said.
Participants must pay the $325 program cost.
Clancy Yeager, forensic program manager for Behavioral Connections, called the program "an opportunity to plant a different kind of seed."
"People don't usually change their behaviors overnight," he said. "If we can take a person from where they haven't even thought about their use of marijuana to having some thoughts of the impact it makes on their lives, … we've planted some very productive seeds."
The idea for the new diversion program originated with Perrysburg City Prosecutor P. Martin Aubry, who saw a need to offer an alternative to people who seemed stuck in a cycle of marijuana use even though it was leading them down the wrong paths.
"We have a lot of programs that deal with alcohol and hard drugs, domestic violence, anger management, probation, and deferred findings … but there was nothing there to deal with people who were barely repeat offenders or first offenders to see if the cycle could be broken," he said.
Persons charged with possession of marijuana, a minor misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $150 and a six-month license suspension, are eligible, along with those charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250, 30 days in jail, and a six-month license suspension.
For now, Bowling Green Municipal Court isn't planning to adopt the program as a diversion option, said City Prosecutor Matt Reger.
"I told police I would only do it if they were supportive of it," Mr. Reger said. "They're the ones out on the street dealing with these things on a regular basis. They thought it would be better not to pursue that program, and I was fine with that."
Bowling Green Police Chief Gary Spencer said he does not believe allowing people charged with a crime to complete an educational program and have the charge dismissed deters future crime.
"I'm not sold on any diversion program because I think it's a 'get out of jail free' card," he said. "It's giving someone a warning. To me, there has to be consequences for your actions."
Ms. Swindel said Behavioral Connections also is making the program available to employers who have employees that test positive for marijuana use. For more information, go to www.behavioralconnections.org.
Contact Jennifer Feehan at:
jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-353-5972.
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