Dozens of people file into the Smith County Court Facility on a cloudy Thursday morning in late October. Quiet whispering can be heard among the crowd as they await the 9 am start time for the day’s proceedings. Anxiety is visible on the faces of many as they patiently await Judge Michael Collins’ arrival.
Different circumstances brought many people to court on this day, but among those issues, there is one in particular that is more common than the rest.
Many people are arrested each month in Smith County on a variety of drug-related charges. This has become an increasing problem for law enforcement in recent years, and it only continues to worsen.
For most of those in the court room on this day, it was drugs that brought them here.
Judge Collins arrives in the courtroom shortly after 9 am. He informs the court that he is under the weather and has both strep throat and the flu. However, with so many people set to appear before him today, he isn’t going to inconvenience them by not coming into work.
Having established that he isn’t feeling well, Collins makes a connection between himself being sick and the drug issues that brought many to court. He sought medical attention because he realized he was sick; however, many people in the courtroom are sick and don’t even know it.
Before launching into the day’s proceedings, Collins spends a great deal of time detailing the different programs offered to those facing drug addictions.
Bridging the Gap is a program Collins himself helped organize to “bridge the gap” between where people are and where they need to be by offering spiritual support and various resources to help with all kinds of issues, including addictions. The program has a Facebook group page for those wishing to join, which can be found here.
Recovery Court is another option for those currently serving a jail sentence brought on by their drug addiction. Those who were imprisoned for drugs can fill out an application if they want to enter the program. If they are found to be eligible, they will be released from jail and given the help they need to overcome their addiction. They will also receive help with getting jobs, obtaining driver’s licenses, getting children back, and bringing their families back together.
Throughout the day, many people go before Collins and have their cases heard. For those battling drug addictions, help is there if they choose to seek it, regardless of whether they must serve a prison sentence for their actions or not.
For the time being, drugs such as marijuana remain illegal in the state of Tennessee, and those caught with it are subject to imprisonment – not because they are bad people, but because they broke the law as it currently stands. However, Smith County is making strides in getting help to these people.
Drug addiction ruins lives and tears families apart, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Programs like Bridging the Gap and Recovery Court are just a couple of opportunities being offered to those willing to take a stand against their addiction and get their lives back on track.
As Judge Collins says, “if you want help, help’s here.”
