Named Mentor Court
Now in its third year, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke’s specialized Drug Court Docket is moving into new territory, and joining only one in 10 drug court programs nationwide as a mentor court.
Now in its third year, Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke’s specialized Drug Court Docket is moving into new territory, and joining only one in 10 drug court programs nationwide as a mentor court.
During a ceremony for graduates of the New Leaf Program — Douglas Roubic and Steven Urbanski — held May 26 on Chardon Square, Paschke and her treatment team were recognized by Daryl D. Jackson, the national project director for the National Drug Court Institute, a division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Only a select few drug court programs across the country are tapped to mentor other courts trying to get their programs off the ground, Jackson said. Pashcke’s team started the process three years ago and is now ready to help coach other communities working to create their own specialized treatment dockets.
“I had the honor and the privilege of seeing this team several years ago start off with the idea or the concept of becoming a drug treatment court and the great part about this process is that they have hope,” Jackson said. “Hope for their community, hope to change the narrative of things happening in their community.”
Located in Washington, D.C., the NADCP is a training, membership and advocacy organization for the treatment court model, which now includes over 4,000 programs found in every state, four territories and over 20 countries, according to its website.
NADCP and its divisions — the National Drug Court Institute, National Center for DWI Courts, and Justice for Vets — have trained hundreds of thousands of professionals in the legal, clinical, psychosocial and law enforcement fields.
In addition to mentoring other courts, Paschke’s court will inform national statistics regarding the implementation of and best practices for drug treatment courts to help determine what works for drug treatment court programs across the country, Jackson said.
Courts in the process of setting up a specialized docket will virtually attend Paschke’s hearings as early as next week, he said, and tentative plans are for teams to begin visiting in person next year.
The treatment team was recognized with a plaque from the NADCP, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, which provides federal grants to drug court programs across the country. The plaque recognizes Paschke’s court and its service to the treatment community.
“I really wanted to take the time to say thank you all for doing an exceptional job, but most importantly, to maintaining and keeping the hope going for this community,” Jackson said. “This is a big honor. We don’t take it lightly in D.C.”
Graduates Honored
Each person who completes the 16- to 24-month voluntary New Leaf Program is honored with a special graduation ceremony. The program is a long-term commitment for those who have been charged with felonies related to drug use and have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
At their graduation ceremony May 26, Paschke reiterated the struggles overcome by both Roubic and Urbancic before completing the program.
Roubic was twice revived with Narcan by first responders after overdosing, and took 24 months to complete the program, she said.
Probation officer Greg Potts said at a certain point in the program, Roubic just “clicked” on the program.
“All I know is that it works for me and it’s starting to make a longer run (of sobriety) than I’ve ever had,” Roubic said. “And I want to continue (for) the rest of my life because technically I … shouldn’t be here, so many times, without Narcan and everything else.”
Roubic is once again actively parenting and expecting a new child soon.
Urbanski said while not a fan of public speaking, he wanted to take a moment to thank his family for supporting him.
“It was just very helpful. It’s a great program and I don’t think I’d be here today without it,” he said.
Paschke said Urbanski is one of the quickest graduates the New Leaf Program has seen — he completed the program in only 16 months. Additionally, once enrolled, he had no further involvement with law enforcement.
In addition to recognition from Jackson, the court was commended by state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), who presented a proclamation from the Ohio Senate, signed by himself and state Sen. Sandra O’Brien, who represents the eastern portion of the county.
Cirino congratulated the graduates and reminded them and those in attendance still going through the program to appreciate their community has been there for them.
“It’s not just the judge who has done a tremendous job, but all of her team and, and your families that have been here to support you,” Cirino said. “And you can’t do it alone, right? You have to have your faith, hopefully, and you have to have your community behind you.”
Ariann Barile Smith, district outreach representative for U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce (R- Bainbridge Township), said while Joyce was not able to attend the ceremony, she jumped at the chance to participate and shared certificates of achievement from Joyce’s office, as well as a personal connection with the graduates.
“My brother and sister were both heroin addicts,” Smith said. “And coming from a baby sister who looked up to her older brother her whole life, thank you for being here. Thank you so much for everything that you guys have done — whether it was 24 months or 16 months — it doesn’t matter. You guys are here and that’s what matters.”
