Rob: Oklahoma prisons are bursting at the seams, due in great part,
to one thing, drug related offenses and methamphetamine,
the drug of choice.
This highly addictive, easily accessible drug is to blame for broken hearts
and broken homes.
Yet the story of the family we are about to meet, is one of hope, and
not of despair.
All thanks to a program that keeps parents out of prison and on a path to
keeping families together.
Desiree Irving reports.
Desiree: The Garretts are spending quality time as a family.
Nearly a year ago, this wouldn't have been possible.
Thomas Garrett: We missed a Christmas, because I got a criminal charge that had
been pending before I got to the penitentiary.
It was the worst thing in the world.
Desiree: Thomas Garrett is a recent graduate of
the Canadian County Family Drug Court.
He and his wife, Melissa, attended a program that treats substance abusers
through an intensive one-year course for addicts.
Garrett: We'd have support groups that we'd have to attend, social groups that
would have to come out here, class, structure, a lot of structure,
meetings, a lot of my time, and that was probably the best thing.
Desiree: Drug court definitely was the best thing for the Garretts.
As a result of their drug addiction, Thomas and Melissa's children were
taken out of the home.
Although it wasn't easy, the Garretts were reunited as a family by following
strenuous guidelines.
Melissa Garrett: Really, truthfully, the one thing that made me quit and not
go back was when Carly was taken.
Garrett: It was actually hard, because there was times whenever we would
get to see her once a month.
Ken Dickerson: We've been what I consider very successful, and I would
have to say it changed my life for doing it.
Desiree: Ken Dickerson is the judge for the Canadian County drug court and says
he's proud to see the beneficial impact
the program has on people's lives.
Dickerson: I think it works because of the concept of support,
positive reinforcement and support of the family, by all the members of the
drug court team.
Each of the members of the drug court team is an expert in their field.
Desiree: Canadian County is the second of the only two family drug courts in
the state.
And since its inception, associate district judge, Gary Miller, says he
believes it is more efficient in breaking the cycle of addiction
and incarceration.
Gary Miller: They really take a holistic approach when it comes to helping
these parents resolve all their problems, because a lot of times, the use of
drugs is just a mask for all of the problems that they're experiencing in
their life.
As a result, we've got a lot of families out there that children are
reunited; the families are sober; they have a home; they have a job.
They have all those things that we would wish they would have without the
necessity of having to go through drug court and having to get off the use
of drugs.
Desiree: Giving families like the Garretts a second chance on a happy life.
Melissa Garrett: I don't have the desire anymore.
My family is my higher power.