LOGAN – Throughout the past three years, judges as well as many public officials have visited the Vivitrol Drug Court program held in Hocking County Municipal Court.
 
Congressman Steve Stivers is one of many visitors to the program and took advantage of the opportunity to visit the drug court last week in hopes of learning more about the program and its successes.

It began in 2012 when three agencies teamed up to form the pilot program in hopes of ending the opiate abuse afflicting the community. Or at least put a big dent in the ongoing problem.

Vivitrol blocks the receptors in an individual’s brain that provides a state of euphoria whenever a person gets high. Unlike other medications that have traditionally been used to combat opiate addiction – like Suboxone or Methadone, which both contain opiates and often becomes addicting – Vivitrol does not contain an opiate and is not habit forming.

Whenever a person takes an opiate, it binds to a receptor in the brain, which causes it to release a surge of dopamine, which is a chemical that produces a feeling of euphoria in a person’s body.

When Vivitrol is taken, the active component of the drug – Naltrexone – binds to the receptor that normally would release a surge of dopamine and prevents it from being released. One shot of Vivitrol can prevent an individual from getting high for up to 30 days.

Since its inception, there have been 91 individuals involved in the Vivitrol drug court program – 35 active participants; eight individuals who are in the referral and assessment process; 15 in the aftercare stage; three who have successfully completed the aftercare stage and are removed from probation; 12 who were assessed and ultimately didn’t go through with the program (by their choice or not appropriate); four were neutrally or medically discharged; and 14 absconded or were removed.

During the most recent meeting of those participating in the program, 20 were present and had the opportunity to meet and tell their stories to Stivers, who visited the courtroom following the Opiate Roundtable session held in Lancaster earlier that day.

“Everyone has skeletons in their closets” were words that echoed throughout the courtroom during that meeting as Stivers sat silently listening as several participants told their individual stories.

Not only did those words ring out loud and clear, but also those in attendance agreed that they needed to face their demons, take responsibility for their actions and move forward.

Stivers met not only the recovering addicts participating in the program, but also the team of support leaders from various agencies now involved in the program including the Hocking County Municipal Court probation department, TASC, Hopewell Health BH, Hopewell Health PC and the 317 Board.

Each week, those participating in the program through Municipal Court, meet with their probation officers, as well as members from the various agencies and report to Hocking County Municipal Court Judge Fred Moses on their progress.

“Of the 2,300 drug screens since the program began, only 13.3 percent of tests came back positive for drugs,” Moses stated.

Stivers asked about recidivism to which Moses indicated there’s only been one case since the inception of the program. Moses also noted that there has been a 100 percent employment rate of the Vivitrol participants.

When Stivers asked about alternative drugs used to treat addiction, many admitted to taking Suboxone either legally or illegally. One of the participants spoke out and said, “Suboxone is the answer to a heroin addict like wine is to an alcoholic.”

Participants agreed that Suboxone is not the answer when it comes to getting sober because it is so addicting. However, they all agreed that the Vivitrol program has helped them in their process of staying clean and sober.

Moses, who is strongly against the use of Suboxone due to it being so addictive, said the Vivitrol program works because – “It is a wrap around treatment plan and addicts can actually feel what it’s like to be clean. It clears their heads so they can make choices and have desires just like everyone else.”

Moses noted that most addicts on Suboxone use what they need and sell the rest in order to support their addiction to such drugs as heroin or meth.

“I don’t know where I would be now if it wasn’t for this program and the support of Judge Moses and this team,” one participant stated. “I probably wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for them.”

The participants also agreed that the Vivitrol program is not for everyone – “You have to want this,” stated another participant. “If you don’t want this, you will fail at it. It’s a lot of hard work and you have to be dedicated to the program in order to be successful.”

Stivers was very interested in listening to the participants’ testimonies and asked questions throughout the session.

Some admitted to relapsing, but all agreed the program has changed their lives.

“I am proud of how hard all of our participants are working and I’m glad Congressman Stivers was able to witness the progress being made in the program,” stated Kathy Shepler, probation officer and facilitator of the program.

“It was an honor and privilege to have Congressman Stivers visit the court,” stated Moses. “He witnessed the challenges our participants face on a daily basis and saw a program that incorporates an alternative treatment method that does not utilize an opiate.”

Before Stivers left for another meeting, he presented a certificate to one of the young men, who Moses said worked very hard and has been a huge supporter of others by encouraging them to stay in the program and to stay on track with continuing to be clean and sober.

Brandon Berry, who is now going into Phase III of the program, accepted the certificate as everyone cheered him on.

“Brandon has been an inspiration to many in this program,” Moses stated. “He is always there to help someone if they feel like they are going to relapse. He is supportive and encourages everyone to keep moving forward. He’s worked hard to get to this point and we’re all proud of him.”

The program has proven to be successful and now other courts throughout Ohio are implementing Vivitrol into their drug courts as well.

Stivers was impressed with the program as well as the many participants who took control of their lives and are now successful functioning members of the community.

“I believe everyone deserves a second chance,” said a participant. “This program has given us that second chance.”