Drug court grad has life on track

ALMA, Neb. — Jenny Marty of Alma is excited and nervous as she anticipates her first graduation ceremony.

At age 32, she is marking a new way of life by living substance-free.

Marty is the first resident of Furnas County to graduate from the Midwest Nebraska Drug Court, and it's the culmination of a 22-month effort. The felony drug charges to which she once pleaded guilty will now be dismissed.

“It's something big I've actually accomplished and not gave up on,” Marty said. “I went through it completely, all the way.”

She is pleased with her progress but also acknowledges the road ahead will be difficult. She will strive a day at a time to stay sober for life.

For Marty, rock bottom came two years ago when she was facing charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine and her youngest son, now adopted by a family in Georgia, was taken away.

“I know he's being well-cared for, but it's hard to let go of him,” she said of 8-year-old Nickolas. She regrets losing him but can't change the outcome. Two other children, Amanda, 14, and James, 12, are now back with her. She once turned them over to her family because she feared the state would take them.

“I know how I got there,” she said of her situation.

Being in and out of jail and under the influence wasn't very dignified.

“Everybody was giving up on me, and I was giving up on myself,” Marty said. “I had no faith in myself.”

She didn't think she was capable of change and almost wanted to be sentenced for her crimes, because that would be the easy way out again, instead of enrolling in the drug court program.

Although Marty was persuaded to give drug court a try, she said it took four months in the program before she started taking it seriously.

“I didn't want to go back to jail,” she said.

Marty had been locked up for three days in January 2008 when a drug test came back positive. To avoid incarceration, she had to prove she was cleaning up and making changes.

“To clean up or dry out is extremely hard,” Marty said.

Marty said she started drinking at age 13. It probably was an attempt to self-medicate her bipolar condition and other pain in her life.

Alcohol use led to smoking marijuana and using other drugs such crank, pain pills, cocaine and crack.

“I switched addictions a lot,” Marty said.

She became pregnant at 16 and gave birth at 17. When she later married, it was to a man with his own addictions.

She worked to support their family. He got cancer, and she had her own bout of cancer. They separated after three years.

Trying to understand the history of an addiction is part of the therapy required in the drug court program. She also had the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist and found the correct medication for mental well-being.

Marty was required to participate in intense outpatient treatment, undergo counseling and attend several Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each week. She had to adhere to the curfew set at each level of progress and to account for her whereabouts. She was also tested for drugs three times a week and appeared before Judge James Doyle every Monday.

She said she initially resisted many aspects of the program. She thought the required moral recognition therapy was brainwashing and wanted to throw the workbook out the window.

Gradually she realized: “It helps you become truthful and honest, learning who you are on the inside, that you do have choices and can make goals and achieve them.”

Marty sought a job. “I absolutely love it,” she said of working at the Super 8 Motel in Alma. July marked her one-year anniversary there.

Her boss, David Fleischmann, said: “She's been darn good. We've really been pleased. We took a stretch. We took this on together because we knew the circumstances. There's been some good times and bad times, but we've been through them together.”

He said more businesses should take a similar chance. Perhaps more people with problems could be helped. He said he saw in Marty a glimmer of hope that was worth taking a risk for.

Marty said through her moral recognition group, she learned that honesty was the best policy, so she disclosed her situation to her co-workers.

“After a while it becomes a necessity for certain times and things to let people know,” she said. Before, she would either not mention details or lie to alter them.

“If it wasn't for the support I had, I probably wouldn't have come this far,” said Marty. Her mother and stepfather, Diane and Harry Stracener, allowed her to move back home, giving her another chance. Her mother also sacrificed, driving Marty to court dates and meetings when she didn't have a license.

She will continue to attend AA meetings. While she once viewed them as meetings for people forced to be there by the court, “I've come to realize that's where I find serenity. I do belong there. It does help,” she said. Her children also recognize how she benefits from the meetings and encourage her to attend.

“My life is good today,” Marty said. “I've done amazing things I didn't think I could do.”

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