February 27, 2025 3:20 a.m. 

The Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court program is preparing for their 109th graduation on May 13th at 5:15 p.m. in the Cascade Hall building at the fairgrounds.

A Douglas County Circuit Court release said graduate hopefuls Robert Nichols-Wood and Norbert Huntley are seeking paperback books and medical equipment items for the Douglas County Jail.

While incarcerated or in the Residential Substance Treatment program in the jail, providing access to books and educational materials can have a transformative effect on individuals and promote rehabilitation. Wellpath, the jail medical provider, utilizes medical equipment when available and necessary during discharge planning for clients in need of assistance at the time of release. There are a number of reasons a person may need a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair.

Nichols-Wood and Huntley are taking this opportunity for their community project to ask for new or gently used items. Nichols-Wood said, “Books help keep my mind quiet and were the stepping-stones to the beginning of my recovery journey. Seeking medical equipment was an added bonus for the jail which will assist others in need”. Huntley said, “There is knowledge and comfort in reading books. It’s an escape and meditation for the mind, where you can relieve stress”.

Per the jail commander, books can only be paperback and need to refrain from any sexually explicit material or photos. No magazines of any kind or hard cover books will be accepted.

A donation box to drop off paperback books is located at Clint Newell Motors on Northeast Stephens Street. Grove Medical on Northwest Stewart Parkway has a drop box to accept medical equipment.

For more information on H.O.P.E. Drug Court, go to: H.O.P.E.  Drug Court | Douglas County, OR