# Charleston County Drug Court Program

Located: Charleston County Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Suite 469,
Charleston, SC 29401

**[IMPORTANT numbers to know:]{.underline}**

***For Treatment***

\(843\) 852-4100 Victoria Upchurch

***For Drug Court***

\(843\) 958-5189

***For Drug Testing***

\(843\) 745-6174

## [Introduction]{.underline}

Charleston County Drug Court provides a cost-effective alternative to
traditional prosecution and incarceration of nonviolent offenders with
substance abuse problems. Crime will be reduced and offenders
habilitated through court supervision and substance abuse treatment. The
program is designed to promote self-sufficiency and personal
responsibility. Participation in this program requires your personal
commitment. Members of the Drug Court Team are present to guide and
assist you, but the final responsibility is yours. You must be motivated
to make this change and commit to a more responsible way of life.

The program involves working with the Drug Court Staff, all dedicated to
your recovery for a minimum of 12 months. Your charges will be dismissed
upon your successful graduation.

It is important that you understand the long-term commitment involved in
this program. You will be involved with AA and NA, attend office visits
as scheduled by Drug Court Staff, keep all scheduled court appearances,
submit to random drug testing and attend all scheduled treatment
sessions. The Drug Court Staff is here to assist with your efforts to
successfully complete the program, but the choice and effort to change
your way of life comes from you.

## [Program Description]{.underline}

The Charleston County Drug Court Program is a court-supervised treatment
program. The Drug Court Judge will review your progress every week. An
attorney will be provided to assist every client with any Drug Court
related legal matters.

#### Progress Reports

As a Charleston County Drug Court Participant, you will be required to
appear in Court on a regular basis (usually Wednesdays at 4:00pm on the
4^th^ floor of the Judicial Center in downtown Charleston.) At each
appearance, the Judge will be given a progress report regarding drug
test results, attendance, and participation in treatment and support
groups. The Judge may ask you and/or your treatment provider questions
about your progress, and discuss any specific problems you have been
experiencing, financial statement and relative information on your
progress in the program.

#### Courtroom Environment

Once Court is called to Order, conversations with other participants
will not be allowed. You must remain in court for the entire Court
session. There are absolutely no distractions during Court. No shorts,
tank tops, flip flops, t-shirts with obscene language, chewing gum,
hats, or jewelry on male participants, are allowed in Court. All
cellular phones and pagers must be turned off. Family and friends
accompanying you to Court are expected to adhere to the same rules and
guidelines.

## 

## [Program Rules]{.underline}

As a Drug Court participant, you will be required to abide by the
following rules:

-   **ATTEND ALL ORDERED TREATMENT SESSIONS**. There are three required
    group sessions per week. Two 12-step self-help meetings are also
    required. The judge may also order individual sessions, education,
    employment and additional AA/NA meetings. If you are not well,
    attend the treatment session and your Treatment Supervisor will
    excuse you if he/she deems it necessary. In addition, before using
    ANY prescription drugs please clear it with a counselor or court
    staff.

-   **BE ON TIME**. If you are late, you may not be allowed to attend
    and will be considered non-compliant which could result in
    sanctions. Contact your treatment supervisor or coordinator if there
    is a possibility you may be late. You must have a good reason!
    [**Lack of transportation is NOT a good reason for being late or
    missing treatment or court.**]{.underline} Prior to entering the
    program you were assessed and indicated the ability to attend all
    parts of this program.

-   **NO THREATS**! Do not make threats towards other participants or
    Drug Court staff or behave in a violent manner or engage in
    inappropriate behavior including any type of intimate relationships
    with other Drug Court participants. No violent or inappropriate
    behavior will be tolerated and will be immediately reported to the
    Court. This may result in termination from the Drug Court Program.

-   **NO WEAPONS!** You must not have any type of weapons in your
    possession while participating in the program.

-   **You MUST ATTEND all Drug Court Sessions.** Failure to appear for
    Court Sessions will result in an immediate Bench Warrant. Court is
    located in the Judicial Building on the 4^th^ floor on Wednesdays at
    4:00pm.

-   **You MUST NOTIFY** the Court of any **CHANGE** in your **HOME**
    **ADDRESS, HOME PHONE (CELL NUMBER), JOB (ADDRESS/PHONE)**, pager
    number and any information important to staying in contact with the
    Drug Court Team.

-   **You MUST ATTEND DRUG TESTING.** Call the drug testing number to
    see if your color is on the list. If it is, then you must provide
    drug screen sample at AccuDiagnostics 8:30am-5:00pm Mondays-Fridays
    & 10:00am Saturdays.

### [Program Fees]{.underline}

As a participant, you agree and are responsible for paying program fees.
You cannot enter the program unless a counselor at the treatment
facility has assessed you. The initial assessment fee is \$50, in cash
or money order, payable to the Probate Court. If accepted an initial
hair test fee of \$50 is to be paid for a baseline hair test. The total
to begin Drug Court is \$100. In addition, once in the program, \$25 is
to be paid to the Court on a weekly basis. It can be in the form of cash
or money order. No checks are allowed. There may be other costs once you
enter the program. Payment records will be reported to the Judge as part
of your regular progress report. Drug Court fees must be paid in full
before you will be considered for graduation.

You will be asked to provide Drug Court with a financial statement on a
weekly or bi-weekly schedule to ensure employment and number of hours
worked.

**[Restitution]{.underline}**

If you owe restitution on your case, you will be required to pay it back
before you can graduate. Payment of restitution may only be made with
cash or a money order. The Court will develop a payment plan and
schedule for you. All restitution must be paid to the Court and prior to
graduation.

**[Treatment Procedures]{.underline}**

Upon your guilty in the 9^th^ Circuit Court to your charges, your
sentence is deferred and your time in Drug Court begins immediately.
**Treatment is scheduled for 10:00am-12:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm every
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday** at the Charleston / Dorchester Community
Mental Health Center, located at 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd. **The treatment
number is 843-852-4100 (Victoria Upchurch).** Court is held every
**Wednesday at 4:00pm** on the 4^th^ floor if the Judicial Building, and
the number is **958-5189.**

**[Drug testing]{.underline}**

You will be tested throughout the entire treatment process for drugs and
alcohol use. The Drug Court Judge will have access to all drug test
results including any failures to test and may order a drug test at any
time. Any results that indicate that sample was altered will be
considered criminal behavior. It is strongly suggested that any
relapse/drug use be reported prior to a drug test being administered.

**There is testing held Monday through Saturday. Contact AccuDiagnostics
at 745-6174.** There will be a recorded list of colors; if your color
group is on the list, please report to AccuDiagnostics for testing.
There is absolutely no excuse for missing testing. If so, a sanction
will be imposed at Court. AccuDiagnostics also administers hair tests,
which are required for phase advancements and program completion.

**[Twelve-Step Meetings]{.underline}**

Attendance will be required at 12-step meetings such as Narcotics (NA)
and/or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). You will be required to submit
attendance sheets to your treatment counselor. Frequent attendance is
particularly important to your recovery process to help familiarize you
with the 12-step philosophy and help you develop a level of trust to
learn and create social bonds with other recovering addicts. Treatment
group sessions will enable you to create bonds with other recovering
addicts. Your treatment supervisor will provide you with information
regarding the locations and times of 12-step meetings.

**[Treatment Phases]{.underline}**

The Charleston County Drug Court Program is a three-phase, highly
structured, outpatient treatment program lasting a minimum of (12)
twelve months. The length of your treatment may vary depending upon your
individual progress. Each phase consists of specified treatment
objectives, therapeutic and rehabilitative activities and specific
requirements for advance-ment into the next phase.

You must make an effort to maintain a "drug free" lifestyle. This
includes alcohol.

**[Sanctions]{.underline}**

If you fail to comply with the Treatment Program during any phase, the
following sanctions are available to the Court. The Drug Court Judge
may, at his/her discretion, order one or more of the following:

-   Verbal reprimand

-   Written homework (in the form of an essay)

-   Increased drug screens

-   Increased Court appearances

-   Community service work

-   Jail

-   Termination

-   Or any other sanction the Judge deems appropriate.

**[Incentives]{.underline}**

The Court applies appropriate incentives to MATCH YOUR TREATMENT
PROGRESS. Compliance with program rules will result in praise from the
Judge, the Drug Court Team, and other court participants. Incentives are
applied when moving to another phase, i.e., phase certificates,
decreased treatment sessions, early dismissal from Court, and
graduating.

**[Education, Vocation and Employment Programs]{.underline}**

Recovery from substance addiction means developing self-sufficiency and
becoming a productive and responsible member of the community. Every
participant should be employed. (Unusual circumstances should be
addressed with the treatment counselor.) Your treatment counselors will
work to assist you in obtaining an assessment of your needs and skills
and will refer you to the proper agencies for education, training and
job placement.

### [Social Services]{.underline}

Upon your entry into drug Court, your treatment counselors will assess
your general living needs and when appropriate, refer you to a local,
state and/or county agency for assistance.

## [Termination from the Program]{.underline} 

Warrants and/or new arrests could result in your being terminated from
the Charleston County Adult Drug Court Program and you will immediately
begin serving your prison sentence. Other violations that could result
in termination include consistently missing drug tests and/or hair
tests, demonstrating a lack of Program response by failing to cooperate
with the treatment provider or violent behavior/ threats of violence
directed at Drug Court staff or other participants. The Drug Court Team
will make all decisions regarding termination from the Program.

## 

## *[Graduation]{.underline}*

***Successful completion and "graduation" from the Program will result
in your charges being dismissed.***