Three graduate from first DUI Court

The first graduates of Kalispell’s DUI Court celebrated an end to their yearlong program and a new outlook on life during a ceremony Monday night.

Kim Bond, Luke Chapman and Steve Vandehey, all of Kalispell, received key chains “signifying they were getting the keys to success and their life,” Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht said.

Kalispell’s DUI Court, one of two in the state, combines traditional rehabilitation with court appearances in an effort to reduce impaired driving among those who habitually drive under the influence.

“It’s a new solution to the issue,” Ulbricht said of the program that aims to treat underlying substance abuse issues rather than just focusing on punishment.

Ulbricht said DUI Court participants are “fast-tracked” into treatment and are more closely monitored, which differentiates this program from traditional court-mandated treatment.

DUI Court also offers more counseling and one-on-one attention, Ulbricht said.

With DUI Court, “you’re getting treatment and chemical dependency evaluations within two weeks,” she said, comparing it to sometimes “30 to 60 days to get an evaluation” with traditional methods.

She said a judge can send someone to treatment, but can’t make sure he or she enrolls.

“For an alcoholic who wants to deal with his disease, it’s a great program,” said Vandehey, who entered DUI Court because other programs hadn’t worked for him.

“It held me accountable for one year,” he said. “Rehab kept me accountable for one month, but after that you’re out on your own. I was looking to find a method that would work in maintaining sobriety, and the program offers that.”

He said the program’s counseling through Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic covered the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual aspects of the disease. 

“People need to recognize it is a disease,” he said of the alcoholism with which he has struggled since his early 20s. “Drinking alcohol is only a symptom” of the imbalance of the above factors that lead people to drink, he said. He has been sober for 10 months, his longest period of sobriety in 29 years. 

“I would like to thank all those involved, especially all the participants in the program,” Vandehey said. “Getting sober with them was the best thing I’ve done in my life.”

Program participants are chemically dependent adults convicted of misdemeanor offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Entry into the program is voluntary.

Participants must attend daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the first 90 days, then four meetings per week. They also undergo one-on-one counseling. Concurrent with treatment are weekly DUI Court appearances before the DUI Court team and Ulbricht.

The program runs from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30 of the next year and participants need eight months of sobriety in order to graduate.

DUI Court is funded by a grant from the Montana Department of Transportation of $95,000 for the first year and $105,000 for the second year. The program should be at its 25-person capacity by mid-March.

According to Ulbricht, four people have left the program since its inception because they felt the requirements were too stringent.

To monitor sobriety, the DUI Court uses tools including a bracelet that monitors blood alcohol levels, urinalysis testing, blood testing and portable breath testers.

In addition to treatment, participants are provided with services to help them be better in society. One participant was given help with GED studies.

A similar drug court that deals with non-driving-related offenses committed under the influence of intoxicants is set to start admitting participants beginning March 1. It is funded by a $350,000 grant from the Montana Department of Transportation.

Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com