September 14, 2023 3:50 a.m.

The Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council has announced the recent graduation of seven individuals from the Drug Court program.

Graduates on September 5th included Heath Whited, Taruis Crettol, James Stepp, Travis Maples, Jason Marlin, Sarah Houston and Cassandra Murray.

The Honorable Robert B. Johnson presided over the ceremony, held in a court room in the Justice Building. Johnson announced that the graduates’ successful completion of the program diverted 406 months of prison time. At $190 per day, the cost savings for not serving this time equates to over $2.3 million.

Commissioner Chris Boice was asked to deliver the keynote address to the graduates and their friends and family. Boice said he came across a Facebook post that said, “Chris Boice doesn’t care about your past. He only cares about your future”. Boice said, “And I will tell you, these words capture the spirit of the entire team right here in this room. Each one of these folks are dedicated to helping you rebuild your lives”.

The Council release said the Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court team is comprised of representatives from Circuit Court, the District Attorney, Corrections Department, Adapt Integrated Health Care, Oregon Department of Human Services, Umpqua Valley Public Defender and the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team. H.O.P.E. stands for help, opportunity, pride, and emancipation. The program is an initiative aimed at providing rehabilitation and support to non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse issues. The program offers participants a chance to address their addiction by giving them the option to avoid incarceration, focus on recovery, and ultimately reintegrate into society as productive individuals.

For more information about the H.O.P.E. Drug Court program, go to: https://douglascountyor.gov/225/Drug-Court