Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2018)
Wallowa County Chieftain wallowa.com From A1/News lot of the graduates remain successful, and I think it’s great when they can show their family and kids a clean and sober self, and that’s huge.” Like the DA’s office, both Rutherford and Powers said that their favorite thing about the program is seeing people succeed. “I have a soft spot for –– whether it’s a male or female participant –– those who have kids,” Powers said. “To hear the stories of them being able to be sober parents to their kids.” Rutherford added she enjoys children finding a new definition of normal in their lives. The judge said that the only changes he’d like to see in the program are a defense attor- ney for those participants who admit to extra-legal activities. Housing is also a concern. “This program makes a lot of demands on people,” Powers said. “They go to NA and AA meetings, individ- ual and group therapy ses- sions, behavioral modification classes, jobs, community ser- vice and the treatment court itself. You need the stable plat- form of a place to live to pull that off.” “If anyone thinks this is a loosey-goosey kind of pro- gram, they need to understand that it gets the results that ben- efit everyone. There’s a big benefit to the community in the end-product,” he added. COURT Continued from Page A1 Another receives several days of community work service for using her prescription drugs out of turn. Even after punishment is meted, however, the last words they hear are encouragement. Treatment court ends in about a half-hour, always on a pos- itive note, with many of the program participants leaving with a smile on their faces. Judge Thomas Powers, a fairly recent addition to the circuit court bench, sees the program as a huge bene- fit to the legal system and to participants. Powers said that train- ing includes a nation-wide three-day conference of the National Association of Drug Treatment Court Profession- als that includes intensive workshops, skills training and various expert lectures. Judicial conferences within Oregon generally include a specialty court sec- tion that addresses treatment court. Heather Rutherford, a cir- cuit court employee, also serves as the court’s coordi- nator, a position she held as a fill-in at Union County Circuit Court. She’s served in the pro- gram since 2012. She gathers all the infor- mation, including that of the participants, and puts it in For many, it’s the first time in years they’ve been surrounded by people who want to support their sobriety rather than enable it, and that makes a huge difference.” — Judge Thomas Powers packets for those on the team. She is also active in the intake process, including compiling personal histo- ries. She also receives weekly reports, which include how a participant’s week went, along with urinalysis results. She tracks all the paperwork and keeps it organized. Both Powers and Ruther- ford consider the program a success. “We take a lot of pride in our success rate,” Powers said. He added that he looks at success on two levels: The number of people who enter the program and graduate and how those graduates fare after they leave the program. “If you successfully com- plete the program and gradu- ate, there’s an assumption that you’ve got the support net- work and tools and skills, to be successful outside of the program,” he said. ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SUPPLIES ELECTRICAL & WATER SYSTEM CONTRACTOR PUMPS • IRRIGATION HARDWARE• APPLIANCE PARTS Powers said he enjoys see- ing the positive changes many participants make after com- ing to the program either fresh out of detox or still strung out. “Eighteen months later, they’re clean and sober, they have a GED and stable employment,” he said. He noted the program helps participants with wraparound services that assist with hous- ing, child-care and other ame- nities, as do the peer support groups. “People who come in are often here because the only peer group they have are other users or dealers,” he said. “For many, it’s the first time in years they’ve been surrounded by people who want to sup- port their sobriety rather than enable it, and that makes a huge difference.” Rutherford agrees. “I think it’s very much a success,” she said. “I think a February 28, 2018 IN BRIEF Hunters group plans fundraiser The drawing for a coveted guided bull elk hunt on The Nature Conservancy’s Zum- walt Prairie Preserve will highlight the Union/Wal- lowa Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association’s annual fundraiser banquet March 17 at the Blue Mountain Confer- ence Center in La Grande. Ticket packages for adult singles and groups range from $40 to $1,500. Youth pack- ages, which include dinner, tickets for youth raffles and a free gift, are sold for $20. Funds raised at the ban- quet are dedicated to local wildlife habitat conserva- tion projects and youth activ- ities that the chapter spon- sors each year. Tickets must be purchased by March 12 or until the banquet limit of 300 is reached. Purchase ticket packages by filling out a banquet form or by calling Jed Farmer at (541) 562-6267 or Morgan Olsen at (541) 786-1283. Library fairs on the schedule Libraries across Wallowa County will be celebrating with Library Fairs in coming weeks. Fun activities for chil- dren, free food and free chil- dren’s book. Learn how to use the SAGE Catalog, receive a free library card and use the Internet. Celebrations are planned on the following days and times: • Enterprise Public Library, 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 9 • Troy Branch Library, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10 • Joseph Public Library, 2-6 p.m. Friday, March 16 Wallowa County Library in Enterprise, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 6 • Wallowa Public Library in Wallowa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 7 EOU Oregon’s rural university Legislation has been approved by the Oregon State Senate and House designating Eastern Oregon University as Oregon’s Rural University. “Eastern Oregon Univer- sity has been serving rural Ore- gon since its founding in 1929,” said Sen. Bill Hansell, who rep- resents Wallowa County. “Giv- ing EOU this official designa- tion will allow the university to appeal to potential students across the nation and leverage federal Funds.” EOU reports that a stat- utory designation as a rural-serving institution will assist it in accessing certain federal grants. EOU is located in La Grande. The legislation travels next to the governor for her signature. STAY WARM with 541-426-0320 208 S. RIVER ST. • ENTERPRISE, OR www.jbbane.com • 541-426-3344 Ed Staub & Sons Energy Community Service. 201 East Hwy 82 Enterprise, OR 97828 Locally owned & operated Hailie Hillock Seasons are changing and so are we! Bennett Insurance is changing their name to Hillock Insurance We now have the ability to shop several national carriers to find you the best coverage, plan and price. Kathleen Bennett Jessica Sticka • Auto • Home • Commercial • Worker’s Comp • Life • Health • Medicare Bennett Insurance Agency 616 W. North St. Enterprise, OR 97828 541-426-4208 A9