TULSA — A state program called Drug Court offers court-supervised treatment as an alternative to incarceration in selected non-violent felony offenses can result in addressing addictions and improving lives, preventing repeat offenses, and saving public funds that would have gone to the prison system.
Jerome Philpot is an example of how the program can help people recover from opioid addiction.
Philpot says he had a long time drug history.
"I started out drinking and smoking pot, then I started using heroin, I was a heroin addict for a long time," Philpot said.
After going to jail six times, Drug Court helped him change his life for the better.
"I don't know if something in me broke in Jail and I was like I can't do this anymore. Then Drug Court gave me the chance to take their program and I took it. It was awesome I mean it changed my life," Philpot said.
Philpot now works as a baker at Cherry Street Kitchen.
He tells us "I'm enrolled in college now, I’m doing all the things I dreamed about doing but was too scared or whatever it was that kept me crumbling. But Drug Court held me accountable and gave me the chance to get my life back together.”
The program held him accountable for his actions with strict curfews, counseling, and work that helped him realize there was more to life than the one he knew before.
Philpot says he has big dreams, but for now he is focusing on getting a car and a license so he can continue to make those dreams come true. This is just the beginning.
To find out more information about the Drug Court, click here.
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