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www.mybaycity.com May 30, 2013
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The Treatment Court judges stand with this year's Judge Craig Alston Award winner, Christina Bermejo. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Christina Bermejo Honored as 2nd Recipient of the Judge Craig Alston Award

Treatment Court- A Positive Influence by the Court System

May 30, 2013       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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May is Drug Court Month were we focus and acknowledge the good work treatment courts provide. Bay County helps celebrate this month with the awarding of the Judge Craig Alston Award to a person who has enhanced the efforts and success of the treatment courts of Bay County. This year's recipient is Christina Bermejo. Ms Bermejo has not only benefited from the treatment court system, but she gives back by being a Peer Mentor at Bay Psychological Associates helping other women who are facing their own addiction challenges.


Judge Karen Tighe stands with award winner, Christina Bermejo
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Christina's story is a far too familiar one. One day, she found herself at the gates of the Bay County Family Treatment Court having just temporarily lost custody of her child due to her own addiction issues. She battled her way through the recovery process and with the help of the treatment court team and addiction service providers, along with a desire to make a life change, she was able to obtain sobriety and eventually gain back the care and custody of her child. But the feel good story doesn't end there.


Judge Craig Alston delivers his vision for treatment courts.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

One day Christina returned to a Treatment Court meeting to say hello and give some words of encouragement to the then participants of the Family Treatment Court . Her message that day was to remind everyone that maintaining recovery cannot be put on the back burner, but needs to remain a constant priority in one's life. Fortunately for Christina, a substance abuse counselor from Bay Psychological Associates was present, heard her message and recognized the powerful testimony that Christina had to offer as well as the impact it had on those women present that day. She has since been hired as a Peer Mentor at BPA helping women to face their troubles with addiction.


Christina Bermejo listens intently to Judge Alston's comments.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Treatment courts have become a powerful and successful tool for the court systems. Judge Craig Alston, now retired District Court Judge, was the first Bay County judge to implement a treatment court as a way of helping defendants overcome their addictions and their criminal drunk driving that had endangered the citizens of Bay County. By establishing a treatment court in district court, he targeted repeat drunk driving offenders requiring them to appear weekly in his court as a group. The result has been amazing with significant reductions in repeat offending and life changing experiences. Judge Klida succeeded Judge Alston and continues to run the District Court Treatment Court with similar success.


From left to right: Judge Tim Kelly, Judge Harry Gill, Judge Dawn Klida and Judge Craig Alston.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Judge Karen Tighe of the Bay County Probate Court took notice of Judge Alston's success and established the Bay County Family Treatment Court . This court targets parents who have lost custody of their children in part due to substance abuse and helps them obtain sobriety. As a result, the parents become better able to reunite with their children thus saving families and changing their lives. We have seen a significant amount of success of not only helping parents obtain sobriety, but reuniting families together due in large part to the parents achieving and maintaining sobriety. Judge Tighe has continued the treatment court success with the addition of a Teen Court for juvenile court offenders.


Christina Bermejo reads to the court the journey she took and her gratitude for the help from Judge Tighe's Family Treatment Court.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Judge Karen Tighe beams with pride as she listens to one of her star Treatment Court participants.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Judge Harry Gill of the Bay County Circuit Court has implemented a treatment court in Circuit Court to help certain offenders whose criminal activity is generated, in large part by their substance abuse addiction.


Christina's parents stand with pride next to their award winning daughter.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Christina's parents look on with pride having seen firsthand the destructive path Christina once took and now having their daughter back healthy and strong.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The success of treatment courts at all levels is dependent upon the hard and tireless work of many people behind the scenes. A success story, like Christina's makes the emotional effort of all those people that much worthwhile. Adding her experiences to the treatment team and her willingness to give back and share her battles and successes helps insure a better outcome for others for years to come.

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John Keuvelaar

John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College.

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