HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A drug court program has been in place in Reno County for several years now. The strictly-watched and heavily-structured program gives repeat drug offenders a chance to turn their lives around.

One of the requirements of the program is employment. With a felony record, that can be difficult. A group called the “Reno County Drug Free Alliance” is working with the drug court to help clients find employment and help companies find skilled workers.

Brook Stover is part of the alliance and the current Assistant Director of Operations at the Hutchinson Clinic. She talks about why this program was put into place:

 

 

Stover says steady employment is quite often one of the biggest steps to recovery for a person with substance abuse issues:

 

While clients in drug court may have gaps in their work history, Stover says they usually possess much needed work skills that local employers are looking for:

 

Stover says the alliance and drug court will work with employers and communicate back and forth to make sure the client stays on the right path:

 

Stover and Libertee Thompson presented their program to guests at the noon Chamber luncheon.