There are three rules in Kosciusko County Drug Court: Be honest. Show up. And try.
For following those rules, and more, Travis Belt was the 100th graduate of Drug Court in the program’s first 10 years.
During Drug Court hearings Monday, Circuit Court Judge Mike Reed gave the history of the program and lauded Belt for his accomplishments.
“It is a special day, and every graduation is special because everybody’s got a unique story - how they got here, what they’ve overcome, where they’re going. But he just happens to be our 100th graduate, which is probably pretty cool because I think he’s going to be an awesome graduate,” Reed said.
He said there have been a lot of people over the years, and many of them were in court Monday, who really care about the program and care about the positive impact the program has had on the community over the years since it began.
“It’s very important work we do here. It’s needed work, unfortunately. We all know what it’s like out there. We just want everybody to make progress to hopefully make things a little better,” he said.
Kosciusko County Drug Court started Jan. 20, 2014, when it admitted its first participant.
“It didn’t happen overnight. We planned on opening this court and getting trained up and learning how to hopefully do it right. It was a couple years in the planning and preparation before we could even do that,” Reed said.
The first graduate was on Aug. 10, 2015.
The first Drug Court in the nation started over 35 years ago in Dade County, Fla., as a response by a group of judges who had seen what was going on, the shortcomings of the traditional judicial system and the way that system handled substance abuse offenses but didn’t handle the health aspects, Reed said.
“We all know we can’t punish away substance abuse disorder. So the judges down there just saw they were arresting and releasing the same people over and over, maybe 30-60 days at a time, with people serving a lifetime sentence,” he said. The judges thought there had to be a better way to handle it and through trial and error they came up with the Drug Court.
“We’ve attempted to grow on that, and all the Drug Courts nationwide do this. It’s the most studied court system in the world. It’s also the most successful when you do it right,” Reed said.
He defined Drug Court as “a specifically designed court calendar or docket; the purpose of which is to achieve a reduction in recidivism and substance abuse among non-violent substance abuse offenders, and to increase those offenders’ likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early and continuous and intense judicial supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing ... and community supervision, user sanctions and other rehabilitative services.”
It takes a lot of people to help solve this problem, he said, but there’s also cost savings to Drug Court.
“We figure we probably saved the county $2 million, give or take, since we started this program. Because everybody in our program is not in jail. Most all of them are working. Everybody’s contributing to society, and they’re decent people,” Reed said.
According to statistics provided by Kosciusko County Drug Court, the program currently has 22 active participants, as of Aug. 26. Since Jan. 1, 2024, it has admitted 10 to the program, graduated nine (10 including Belt) and terminated three.
In 2023, the program had 41 total participants. Thirteen were admitted, 10 graduated and three terminated. As of Dec. 31, 2023, the program had a graduation rate of 68%.
The Drug Court tracks recidivism for 36 months, from the date of completion of Drug Court. As of Dec. 31, 2023, 11 past participants have re-offended, which includes those terminated and graduated. Retention rate is also 77% since Dec. 31.
Reed said the Drug Court program is a structured approach that gives people an opportunity to change and make lasting changes when they choose to change. Wanting to change and making changes is internal and has to be self-driven and self-motivated. Drug Court provides the tools, opportunity and support.
“Travis is the last person, so far, that has taken that opportunity and is going to graduate. Because we always talk about this, too, and everybody in here knows it: Recovery is not an event. It’s a process. Everybody in here is in recovery and you’re at a different stage,” Reed said. “We also talk about this because you’ve got to live your recovery every day, you’ve got to make that your No. 1 motivation or you don’t succeed.”
Belt has made a lot of changes and is not the same guy he was 18 months ago, Reed stated.
Community Corrections Director Barry Andrew read comments from Case Manager Abby Rank, who was unable to attend the event Monday.
“So I’m so excited for you today to be at the point of graduation of your Drug Court participation. I’ve seen you grow in many ways over the last 18 months. You’ve become a father to a baby boy and done a great job at your new role. You were able to introduce yourself back to your son in Ohio, and I love seeing your guys’ relationship grow,” she wrote.
Belt worked through many obstacles, like getting his driver’s license back. He purchased his own car and is on the way to saving money for his own house.
“Something I want you to remember is how well you did in helping others,” Rank stated. “Time and time again, I have seen you encourage others and give back what you have been given. This will be the core to your continued recovery.”
She concluded by telling Belt how proud she was of him and all the hard work he’s done.
Andrew echoed Rank’s and Reed’s comments.
“We’re super thankful for you today. Super thankful for your hard work in the last 18 months, showing folks that this process is doable, getting your life back is achievable and if you put hard work into it, you can accomplish your goal,” Andrew said.
There to support Travis Belt at the graduation were his mom, Gayle Wood, and her husband, Pete; his son, Avan Belt; Avan’s mother, Dollie Bumgardner; and therapist, Tabitha Gabbard.
Reed said Belt has been clean since Feb. 2, 2023. He’s completed some substance abuse treatment and MRT. He’s been steadily employed and repaired relationships. He is physically and emotionally healthier and has helped others. Belt graduated from Serenity House.
“I congratulate you wholeheartedly,” Reed stated.
Gayle said her son has come a long way and she couldn’t be more proud of him, while Pete said God answered their prayers. Bumgardner said she’s seen him make tremendous progress and is a determined and selfless person.
Gabbard said Belt’s willingness to give back and help others ultimately will help him.
“It has been really beautiful seeing you get to be Dad again, and being a new Dad,” she said. “... Keep doing the next right thing because that’s what kept you sober this whole time. So don’t forget those little day-to-day things where you have invested into yourself.”
After several others in the program spoke highly of Belt, he said he’s put a lot of hard work in. He said he’s not labeled anymore as someone who isn’t there for his kids anymore, a deadbeat, a thief or whatever.
“I’m a father. I’m a son. I’m a supervisor,” he said, adding that his journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s pretty proud of where he is today. He thanked the court for accepting him into the program so he can make a better life for himself.