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‘Oh, the places they’ll go:’ Four graduate from Nashua Drug Court at Thursday ceremony

By Adam Urquhart - Staff Writer | May 17, 2019

NASHUA – Shawn Brady, Ken Coon, Steven Giguere and Brandi Hamm hope that graduation from the Nashua Drug Court program has them on course for better lives – and Judge Jacalyn Colburn is rooting for them.

“Without the drug court option, each drug court participant is very likely headed to a significant period of incarceration, often years in prison,” Colburn said during the Thursday graduation ceremony.

“They each came to the point of needing drug court after having had a number of contacts with the criminal justice system, and in some cases, beginning as far back as 13 years ago. And if you look at them, they’re not very old,” Colburn added later. “Their combined history reflects in excess of 25 criminal arrests and convictions, both for misdemeanors and felonies in which they have been repeatedly incarcerated.”

Since its inception in 2014, the program has celebrated the graduation of 42 people who got another chance at staying clean, as Brady, Coon, Giguere and Hamm now have a new opportunity.

The Program

During the program, participants work in conjunction with therapists and case managers to receive specific, evidence-based services for substance use disorder which can include intensive outpatient therapy for approximately three hours per day, three days a week.

Participants also meet with coaches from Revive Recovery to connect with local meetings and others supports. Additionally, they are connected to services in the community to access housing, as well as opportunities for further education and vocational programs. They also often participate in programs such as financial management or budgeting classes, parenting groups and more.

Brady

On May 4, 2016, he pleaded guilty to possessing heroin after having previously been convicted of a drug offense in prior years. He received a two-to-four year sentence to State Prison, suspended on the condition that he completed drug court.

Since entering the program, he has overcome numerous challenges. He persevered and has been working as a cook for more than a year now, adding some cash to his savings all while working to complete the drug court components. He also left high school in 11th grade, and has taken classes to obtain his high school equivalency certificate, already passing two of the five sections of the test.

“My family is one of my biggest supporters,” Brady said.

Coon

After pleading guilty to a charge involving receiving stolen property on Aug. 29, 2016, he had the opportunity to suspend his sentence of two and a half to five years through drug court.

He suffered short jail sanctions, and was later able to complete his high school equivalency and obtain his diploma. He also addressed medical and health issues, cleared outstanding warrants and has consistently worked, which has allowed him to better his credit, debt issues and establish some savings.

However, despite these great strides, Colburn said about 13 months ago his drug use remained significant, so much so that he was nearly cut from the program.

“It got right up to the wire, but shortly after that, sometime last spring, things really began to turn around for Ken,” Colburn said.

His sobriety stabilized, and his commitment to long term recovery made noticeable advances. Colburn said he is very committed to this journey, so much so that he has requested that his probation be shortened by a few months so that he could actually begin working with a treatment facility in the recovery field.

“My direction for the future is to become a number in the equation that leads others to the direction of a healthy and happy life all the time,” Coon said.

Giguere

Giguere entered drug court on March 30, 2017 after pleading guilty to selling fentanyl. He was sentenced to three to six years in state prison.

Eventually, he obtained independent housing, addressed credit and debt issues and began to start saving money. He and his girlfriend are now expecting a baby.

“I just want to thank the team for pushing me, and not giving up on me even when I was giving up on myself,” Giguere said.

Hamm

In 2016, she pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl, ultimately receiving a state prison sentence of two to four years. That sentence was suspended on the condition that she enter drug court, which she did in Grafton County before transferring to Hillsborough County in 2017.

As she become more focused and committed to the program and her own progress, she has worked a number of jobs, addressed credit and debt issues and established some savings, while clearing some outstanding warrants. She also became pregnant while in drug court, and her son was vocally supporting her in the audience Thursday afternoon.

“I want to thank everybody for helping me along the journey, especially Grafton County,” Hamm said.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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