Opportunities in local drug court careers is an interest of ROP broadcast student Teresia Hall. She interviewed a substance abuse counselor and offers this story…
Working with your local drug court can be exciting and give you lots of opportunities to help better your life. Talking with Wanda Tomlinson, a substance abuse counselor for Fontana Drug Court, I asked her what you have to do to qualify to work for drug court, and she said that you have to be a certified drug and alcohol counselor. To become a drug and alcohol counselor, you have to complete two years of school and work at least two internships. I then asked what kind of things a drug counselor does; she told me they run treatment groups, teach about the disease of addiction, make treatment plans, court summaries, attend court with their patients and give drug tests. She said she helps addicts with their problems by putting them through a curriculum called Matrix, which consists of three sections: early recovery, relapse prevention, and family education. Clients go through a 90-day treatment plan, where they get a sponsor and have to complete seven steps: drugs, medical, legal problems, psychological, education, employment, and housing. Drug court has been has been successful in ending drug addiction, and reuniting families. Reporting for Z107.7, this has been Radio Broadcasting student, Teresia Hall
LEARNING ABOUT DRUG COURT
