First Starke County Jail Drug Treatment Program Participants Graduate

Starke County Therapeutic Community Program Coordinator Leo Smith and Sheriff Bill Dulin pose with the program's first graduates
Starke County Therapeutic Community Program Coordinator Leo Smith and Sheriff Bill Dulin pose with the program’s first graduates

The first graduates of the Starke County Jail’s substance abuse treatment program for inmates awaiting sentencing were recognized during a ceremony yesterday at the facility. The voluntary, grant funded program launched in September as a partnership with Porter/Starke Services.

It’s separate from the Indiana Department of Corrections Therapeutic Community, which is also based at the local jail. That program is for area inmates who have been sentenced to the intensive rehabilitation program while in prison. The local program is offered to county jail inmates with a history of substance abuse problems who are waiting to be sentenced.

Participants meet three times a week in a jail conference room with program coordinator Leo Smith from Porter/Starke Services and his staff. As part of their graduation, each member of the class wrote a letter to his addiction and read it out loud to the assembled room of dignitaries. Each man’s story was deeply personal, but many shared common themes about how choosing drugs over loved ones cost them relationships, jobs and freedom.

Another recurring message in the letters was that of deep gratitude to Sheriff Bill Dulin, Warden Phil Cherry, Jail Commander Nate Caudill and Program Coordinator Leo Smith for offering the program.

Two of the program participants made this and other signs which hang in the classroom.
Two of the program participants made this and other signs which hang in the classroom.

The goal of Honey Lake Clinic is to incorporate spiritual teachings, awareness, and a reconnection with God while receiving substance abuse treatment. Graduates also spoke candidly about having a path to addiction recovery they didn’t believe was possible before entering the treatment program and building relationships with Jesus to help them stay strong.

Participants will transition to outpatient recovery services through Porter/Starke’s Knox office after they are released from jail and will also have resources available through Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department.

WKVI will air the entire therapeutic community graduation program on Sunday at noon on Kankakee Valley Viewpoints.