COEUR d'ALENE - Several past graduates of Kootenai County Drug Court returned to the courtroom Monday to help mark the program's 15th anniversary.

The seven drug court graduates spoke to those now going through the program, sharing their stories of transformation and hope.

One of the graduates told those gathered that shortly after completing the drug court program, he relapsed, but then used the tools he was given while in the program to get sober again. He also spoke about using those same tools to better himself in the professional world and his personal life.

"It saved my life," he said of the program. "I don't know where I would be otherwise, to tell you the truth."

Another graduate looked over to the currently incarcerated members of the drug court program and told them how she too had worn green and orange jumpsuits while she was using. She told them how the drug court team "got behind her" and that because of the program her "life started over."

"I'm so happy about my life today," she said as she told attendees of how she now gives back to the same court that changed her. She gives input during staff sessions and visits jails to give a message of recovery to inmates. "I get to be a part of society."

One woman brought in a booking photo that only remotely resembled the person standing in front of the court. She was arrested for burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen goods - offenses directly related to her substance use - and said at that point in her life she "was unable to care for myself or my daughter."

As the booking photo was passed around the courthouse, she spoke of her time in the drug court program. She said she "knew" her life was going to change because of her time spent in the court.

"I don't even recognize the person I once was," she said.

The other four graduates told similar stories of transformation by their involvement in the Kootenai County Drug Court.

"It's a new beginning," one said. "It's a new life."

"These guys have created a program that made me strong and I appreciate it," another said.

Since 1998 the program has had 300 graduates. Judge Penny Friedlander, who is the third Kootenai County Drug Court judge, provided some statistics regarding what she called the "empirical" evidence of its effectiveness.

"I'll begin with what I think everyone is most concerned about," Friedlander said.

According to Friedlander, the annual average cost to taxpayers for a felony case currently in problem-solving courts such as drug court is $3,874. She then compared that to the $19,433 taxpayer cost for a felony offender who is incarcerated.

"And when we have drug court, people are doing life and that isn't quantified there, but it is real," Friedlander said. "I want you to understand what we ask of participants."

"What the court asks" of those participants is:

* Two visits to treatment court a month until trust can be established, then it becomes a monthly visit.

* Random urinalysis on a routine basis.

* "High Intensity" probation.

* Attend individual and group treatment.

* Employment or school.

* Obtain a GED if participants do not have a high school diploma.

* Co-paying for all the fees associated with the program, as able.

"Anybody can sit in a jail cell and not use substances," Friedlander said. "Not everyone can do all of these things and still not use a substance."