STAR Drug Court

SPECIALTY COURTS WE SERVE

STAR Drug Court

The Success Through Addiction Recovery (STAR) Drug Court is operated under the auspices of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department and has served Harris County for over 19 years. It is a program of treatment and rehabilitation through four individual, gender-specific courts and teams, monitored by a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer, counselors, recovery coach as well as other support staff. Intensive supervision is the key of our four-phase intervention program for high-risk, non-violent offenders, which is a partnership between the criminal justice system and the alcohol/drug and mental health treatment communities.

STAR provides a variety of programs over the course of 18-24 months that support and help its clients maintain an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle. Participation includes frequent court appearances, random alcohol and drug testing, and substance abuse counseling in individual and group sessions, all uniquely designed on a case-by-case basis. Once clients complete the first three phases and graduate, they remain on supervision and are expected to follow all Aftercare requirements through the Alumni Association. Clients are eligible for an early termination of supervision based on program compliance and performance during the Aftercare phase.

PROGRAM NEEDS

  • Transitional living housing
  • Specialized counseling such as grief, trauma resolution
  • Registration for clients to participate in a sober event such as a Recovery Comedian, Sober New Year’s Eve, Sober Recreation Committee Team/Tournament
  • Houston METRO bus passes
  • Starter hygiene kits
  • Client journals 
  • Pocket calendars
  • Quarterly graduation refreshment sponsor
  • 12-step coins
  • Meditation books

SUCCESS STORIES

Scott P.
Scott P. entered the STAR program in March 2016 after having attended six or more high-end treatment centers in the United States to battle his cocaine/cannabis/alcohol addiction of some 20+ years. He had lost his construction business, was estranged from his two children, financial distraught and had a legal history that was solely attributed to his addiction. A proud man, he began to allow the program and others help him and in turn, he starting reaching out to newcomers offering his recovery wisdom. He learned how to have fun in recovery through his favorite pastime, fishing, and hosted fish frys for the recovery community. Through the help of in-house counseling, he made amends to his father and brother, became the House Manager at a Sober Living Home for Men, started sponsoring men in AA and ultimately reconnected with both daughters, one just in time to see her give birth to his first grandchild. He graduated in March 2017 and was early terminated in July 2018.

Last year, Scott emailed STAR Court with the following message: “In two days, I will have four years of sobriety and I still am unable to believe that I have done this and know without a doubt it was because of my time in STAR. The discipline and structure of the program was just what I needed, coupled with the stern but loving hand of my Judge, and the team never giving up on me.” Today Scott’s construction business has grown into one with multiple teams of workers catering to the River Oaks clientele. He is active in all facets of his family’s life, takes care of his mother, and goes fishing as often as he can!
Mark B. and Patricia B.
While STAR Drug Court does not promote romance during early recovery or while in treatment, sometimes the STARs align. Such was the case with Mark B. and Patricia B. who went through STAR and successfully completed in 2016. Mark came to STAR with an 11-year opiate addiction and a felony of fraud with intent to obtain a controlled substance charge. At the age of 32, he was unemployed and divorced with one child, numerous prior treatment episodes and severe mental health issues. Patricia had used drugs for 20 years, since the age of 11, with methamphetamine and opiates as her preference. While the mother of three once had a successful career, she let go of two years of sobriety to end up in STAR Court.

In December 2019, STAR received the following message from Mark: “Tricia and I are doing great and our son Cayson will be 4 in March. I will have 3 years at TxDOT in February and that’s crazy to say the least. I will be going back to school in August for construction management. Tricia and I miss everyone and we hope you all are doing well. This is a life I couldn’t fathom 5+ years ago. STAR Court was an absolute Godsend for us and we hope others are getting what we got out of it. We miss y’all very much and we hope to see y’all again. Happy Holidays!”
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