[Vision2020] For those who have asked, "Where is Patty Duke now?"

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (November 7, 2014) Spokesman-Review.

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Oscar winner Patty Duke applauds, encourages participants at Kootenai County Mental Health Drug Court
North Idaho resident Anna Pearce has inspired many in her long struggle with mental illness and substance abuse. On Thursday morning the Oscar-winning actor found inspiration in the company of criminal offenders working to overcome similar problems. 
“I certainly didn’t expect to be so moved by your fight, by your willingness to get healthy,” Pearce, better known as Patty Duke, told a group packed into a courtroom to mark the 10th anniversary of Kootenai County’s Mental Health Drug Court.

Pearce wiped tears from her eyes after speaking with participants in the program, which has had 84 graduates since 2004.

“When you work your way out of the orange suit, you’re going to be wearing wonderful clothes that make you happy because you’ve done the job,” said Pearce, 67, who also spoke of her history of alcohol abuse and her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 1982.

“I’m so proud to live in a county where this kind of insight and foresight is happening,” she said.

Jordan Fox, 29, graduated from the program Thursday and received standing applause from other offenders, counselors, court staff and public officials.

“All you got to do is stay clean. Everything else falls in place,” said Fox, who married his girlfriend on Friday. “One day you’re going to wake up and all this frustration and anger and everything you’re feeling because you can’t get high like you used to do to make things better, all that’s going to go away. One day you’re going to wake up and it’s not going to be an option anymore.”

Fox, who was sentenced in 2008 for aggravated battery and possession of methamphetamine, entered the program 2 ½ years ago. He began using drugs as a juvenile and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. 

First District Judge John Mitchell, who presides over the mental health drug court, told Fox, “You are the reason why we do this court.”

The judge also spoke about the program commencement speech Fox gave last month, wearing a Superman T-shirt. Meth, Fox said, turned out to be his Kryptonite, the superhero’s one weakness.

“I have fallen, I’ve picked myself up,” he said in that speech. “It wasn’t easy, but here I stand as proof that no matter what life throws at us, we can come out better.”

The court serves 40 participants at a time from the five Panhandle counties. Defendants are held accountable for their crimes and receive help to achieve long-term stability with mental illness and substance addiction. Four out of five graduates have not committed new crimes – a recidivism rate below regular probation and parole, according to a program study.

“By treating the person who has a mental illness, we’re actually helping to keep people out of prison. Prisons frankly are not equipped to handle people with severe and persistent mental illnesses,” said Mary Wolfinger, the program coordinator.

Treating a person through the specialty court is less than one-third the cost of keeping them in prison, according to the county.

It takes a defendant at least 14 months to complete the program, which involves weekly meetings with the judge, weekly group education classes and individual therapy. Participants also must meet with a probation officer each week, submit to frequent and random drug and alcohol tests, and be employed or in school before they can graduate.

“One of the main goals of our program is that they’re working by the time they graduate,” Wolfinger said. “The majority of our participants will be able to have at least part-time employment.”

David McDaniel, on track to graduate Dec. 4, read his commencement speech in court Thursday. He said he drank heavily each day and was drunk in his first meeting with Wolfinger.

“Since starting this program my life is slowly but finally getting back to normal,” said McDaniel, 49. “For those of you who are new and for those of you still in this program, I can say don’t be afraid. Have the willingness in your heart, soul and mind to want to change.”

Pearce, who won her Oscar for the 1962 film “The Miracle Worker” and starred in “The Patty Duke Show” from 1963 to 1966, said she has known about Kootenai County’s program since it began and wants to get involved as a volunteer.

“I hope to be able to find a little niche so I can join the team,” she said.

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Anna Pearce (aka Patty Duke) gives a presentation at the Justice Building during Thursday’s graduation ceremony.


 
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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
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