Saving Boone County: Fighting For Lives In A Place Ravaged By Opioids | NBC Nightly News

Summary

In Boone County, West Virginia, Judge Will Thompson grapples with the opioid crisis, a scourge that has ravaged the community, affecting multiple generations. The county, once thriving with coal mining and timber jobs, now faces high unemployment and a surge in drug addiction. Thompson's drug court offers a lifeline to those battling addiction, providing a path to recovery through counseling, community service, and random drug tests. The program has seen success stories, like Mallory, who went from addiction to becoming a recovery coach, and John, who aspires to be an architect. Despite setbacks, the community remains determined to rebuild, one person at a time.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚖️ Judge Will Thompson is a circuit court judge in West Virginia dealing with the opioid crisis, which he describes as the worst he's ever seen.
• 🏞️ Boone County, located in the Appalachian valleys, has been deeply affected by the loss of jobs in coal mining and timber cutting, leading to widespread drug addiction.
• 💊 The opioid crisis has led to an intergenerational impact, with children being placed with great grandparents due to addiction in the immediate family.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The community struggles with various forms of drug addiction, including opiates, methamphetamine, and heroin, affecting multiple generations.
• 🏠 Property thefts and other crimes have increased as people turn to illegal activities to support their drug habits.
• 👮‍♂️ Chad Barker, the chief deputy sheriff, highlights the extent of property thefts and child sex trafficking related to drug addiction.
• 🏥 Judge Thompson's drug court offers an alternative to jail for those willing to get clean, requiring regular court appearances, counseling, drug tests, and community service.
• 👨‍🔧 John Russell, a participant in the drug court, is given a chance to turn his life around through community service and support from the court.
• 👩‍💼 Carrie Dolan, a former drug addict, is now a manager at a local restaurant and has hired other former addicts, demonstrating the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration.
• 🎓 Mallory Sutphin's story is a significant turnaround, as she graduates from drug court and now works as a recovery coach, aiming to regain custody of her son.
• 🤝 The Boone County Opioid Network is a grassroots community effort to find solutions to the opioid crisis, involving community leaders and former addicts.

Q & A

What is the main issue being addressed in Boone County, West Virginia?

The main issue being addressed is the opioid crisis, which has had a devastating impact on the community, affecting multiple generations and leading to increased crime and social issues.

Who is Judge Will Thompson and what is his role in addressing the opioid crisis?

Judge Will Thompson is a circuit court judge for Boone and Lincoln counties in West Virginia. He is actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis by overseeing a drug court, which aims to help individuals overcome addiction and avoid jail time by requiring them to participate in counseling, random drug tests, and community service.

What are some of the social consequences of the opioid crisis mentioned in the script?

The social consequences include increased property thefts, child neglect, loss of family connections, and even child sex trafficking, where parents use their children to trade for drugs.

How does the drug court work under Judge Thompson's supervision?

The drug court requires participants to attend weekly court appearances, receive counseling, submit to random drug tests, and perform community service. Judge Thompson and his team track the progress of each participant, offering support and holding them accountable for their recovery.

What is the estimated percentage of the population actively using drugs in Boone County according to the script?

The script estimates that more than 10 percent but less than 20 percent of the population is actively using drugs.

What personal impact does the opioid crisis have on Judge Thompson?

The crisis impacts Judge Thompson on a personal level, as he has to deal with the consequences of addiction in his courtroom daily, including having to place children with relatives due to parental addiction and seeing the multi-generational impact of the crisis.

How does the script depict the community's response to the opioid crisis?

The script shows the community's response through grassroots efforts, such as the Boone County Opioid Network, where community leaders are trying to find solutions to the crisis. It also highlights the work of Judge Thompson's drug court and the personal stories of individuals like Mallory, who have turned their lives around with the help of the court.

What is the role of the Boone County Opioid Network in combating the crisis?

The Boone County Opioid Network is a group of community leaders, including Judge Thompson and individuals like Rachel Waters, who are working together to find solutions to the opioid crisis. They aim to raise awareness and provide support to those affected by addiction.

What is the significance of Mallory's story in the context of the opioid crisis?

Mallory's story is significant as it represents a major turnaround. She went from being a heroin addict to becoming a recovery coach, helping others overcome addiction. Her journey illustrates the potential for recovery and the importance of support systems like the drug court.

How does the script suggest the community can overcome the opioid crisis?

The script suggests that overcoming the opioid crisis requires a community-wide effort, with individuals, support systems like the drug court, and community organizations working together to provide help and resources to those affected by addiction.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ West Virginia's Opioid Crisis

Circuit Court Judge Will Thompson of Boone and Lincoln counties in West Virginia discusses the devastating opioid crisis in his region. He describes the area, its proud and hard-working people, and how the loss of jobs in coal mining and timber led to an increase in drug addiction, affecting multiple generations. The judge shares his experiences placing children with their great grandparents due to parental and grandparental addiction. The crisis has led to an increase in property thefts and child sex trafficking as people resort to desperate measures to feed their addictions. Judge Thompson's drug court offers an alternative to jail, requiring participants to attend weekly court appearances, receive counseling, submit to drug tests, and perform community service. The program aims to rebuild the community one person at a time, with a focus on rehabilitation and support.

05:01

👨‍⚖️ Judge Thompson's Drug Court: A Path to Recovery

The script delves into the personal stories of individuals struggling with addiction in Boone County. Malory Sutphin, a former addict, recounts her journey from painkillers to meth and heroin, highlighting the desperate measures she took to feed her addiction. Rachel Waters, another former addict, shares her experience with various drugs and the impact on her life. The narrative also includes Chad Barker, the chief deputy sheriff, discussing the rise in property thefts and child sex trafficking as a result of the opioid crisis. Judge Thompson's drug court is portrayed as a lifeline, with participants like John Russell, who is doing community service as part of his rehabilitation. The judge's approach is likened to a parent-child relationship, aiming to instill honesty and accountability in the participants. The script also touches on the broader community's efforts to address the crisis, including grassroots initiatives and the judge's personal commitment to making a difference in his community.

10:01

👨‍👧‍👦 Impact on Families and Children

The narrative shifts to focus on the impact of the opioid crisis on families and children in Boone County. It tells the story of Kirsten and Tyler Bowman, siblings who have endured significant hardship, including their father's imprisonment for drug dealing and the tragic death of their mother and half-sister in a car accident. The script highlights the efforts of Judge Thompson, who ensures the siblings are checked in on regularly in court and are placed with their father's girlfriend. It also features Scott Briscoe, their court-appointed attorney, who is overwhelmed with the increasing caseload related to drug abuse. The judge's dedication to the welfare of children is emphasized, as he works to provide stability and support for those affected by the crisis.

15:02

🎓 Drug Court Success Stories and Community Resilience

The final paragraph showcases the success stories of individuals who have graduated from Judge Thompson's drug court, including Mallory, who has turned her life around and now works as a recovery coach. The script emphasizes the importance of community support and the judge's belief in giving people multiple chances to reform. It also highlights the dedication of individuals like Carrie Dolan, who has found stability through the drug court program and is now giving back to the community. The narrative concludes with a message of hope and the potential for community recovery, urging collective effort to overcome the opioid crisis.

Keywords

💡Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis refers to the widespread addiction to opioid drugs, including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In the video, Boone County, West Virginia, is depicted as being deeply affected by this epidemic, with Judge Will Thompson and others witnessing how it has devastated multiple generations. The community faces overwhelming addiction rates, and efforts to combat the crisis involve drug courts and rehabilitation programs.

💡Drug Court

Drug court is a legal program aimed at helping individuals struggling with substance abuse avoid prison by providing structured rehabilitation. Judge Will Thompson leads the drug court in Boone County, where participants attend counseling, submit to drug tests, and perform community service. It is framed as a last chance for individuals to recover and rebuild their lives, such as Mallory and John, who have both found new opportunities through their involvement in the program.

💡Addiction

Addiction is the compulsive need to engage in harmful substance use despite negative consequences. In the video, several individuals, such as Mallory, Carey Dolan, and Rachel Waters, share their struggles with addiction to substances like heroin, meth, and opioids. Their stories illustrate the profound grip addiction can have on individuals' lives, families, and communities, often leading to criminal behavior and broken relationships.

💡Community Impact

The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on the social fabric of Boone County. Jobs in coal mining and timber have disappeared, and as opportunities dwindled, addiction and drug-related crimes surged. This has led to widespread poverty, property theft, and even child sex trafficking, as mentioned by Deputy Sheriff Chad Barker. The community has lost not just one generation, but multiple generations to addiction.

💡Generational Trauma

Generational trauma refers to the passing down of the psychological and social effects of trauma from one generation to the next. In Boone County, addiction has impacted multiple generations within families, where grandparents and even great-grandparents are often raising children because the parents are struggling with substance abuse. Judge Thompson mentions placing children with great-grandparents due to both parents and grandparents being addicted.

💡Recovery

Recovery in this context refers to the process of overcoming substance addiction and reclaiming one’s life. Several individuals in the video, including Mallory and John, have taken steps toward recovery by participating in the drug court program. Recovery is depicted as a difficult but achievable goal, involving personal honesty, community support, and consistent effort, with success stories serving as a beacon of hope for others.

💡Property Theft

Property theft is one of the consequences of widespread drug addiction in Boone County. According to Chad Barker, drug users often steal items like chainsaws, weed eaters, and other household goods to finance their addiction. This has become a major issue in the region, contributing to the breakdown of trust and safety in the community.

💡Parental Neglect

Parental neglect in the video is a direct result of drug addiction. Many parents in Boone County are unable to care for their children due to their dependence on opioids and other drugs, leaving their kids vulnerable. Judge Thompson highlights the prevalence of child abuse and neglect cases tied to drug use, with many children being placed with relatives or in foster care.

💡Second Chances

Second chances refer to the opportunity for individuals who have made mistakes, often due to addiction, to rebuild their lives. Judge Thompson’s drug court offers participants multiple chances to turn their lives around, as seen in John's story, where he violated his parole but was given another opportunity for vocational training. The video emphasizes the importance of not giving up on people who are struggling with addiction.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the process of helping individuals recover from drug addiction and reintegrate into society. In Boone County, rehabilitation efforts are centered around the drug court system, where participants like Mallory and John engage in structured programs that include therapy, drug testing, and community service. Successful rehabilitation allows individuals to rebuild relationships, regain employment, and contribute positively to their communities.

Highlights

Judge Will Thompson, a circuit court judge in West Virginia, discusses the devastating opioid crisis in Boone and Lincoln counties.

The opioid crisis has led to a loss spanning multiple generations, affecting families and communities deeply.

Economic downturn and job loss have contributed to the rise in substance abuse in the region.

The crisis has resulted in children being placed with great grandparents due to parental and grandparental addiction.

Individuals share their personal struggles with various drugs, highlighting the severity of addiction in the area.

Property thefts and other crimes are on the rise as people turn to illegal activities to fund their drug habits.

Judge Thompson's drug court offers an alternative to jail, focusing on rehabilitation and community service.

The drug court requires participants to attend weekly court appearances, receive counseling, submit to drug tests, and perform community service.

Personal stories of recovery show the impact of the drug court, with individuals rebuilding their lives and reconnecting with their families.

The community is rallying together, with grassroots efforts like the Boone County Opioid Network seeking solutions to the crisis.

The emotional toll on families is palpable, with parents and children alike suffering from the consequences of addiction.

Judge Thompson's personal commitment to his community is evident as he coaches his son's baseball team and supports local youth.

The story of Kirsten and Tyler Bowman illustrates the complex challenges faced by children of addicts, including family loss and instability.

The legal system is overwhelmed, with a significant increase in child abuse and neglect cases related to drug addiction.

Carrie Dolan's journey from addiction to recovery and employment demonstrates the potential for positive change.

John Russell's story shows the challenges of maintaining sobriety and the importance of second chances in the recovery process.

Graduation from the drug court signifies a significant milestone for individuals and the community in the fight against addiction.

Mallory's transformation from a heroin addict to a recovery coach and employee of the public defender's office is a testament to the power of rehabilitation.

The community's collective effort to overcome the opioid crisis is emphasized, highlighting the need for unity and support.

Transcripts

it's not a place you moved to you it's a

place you're born in my name is judge

will Thompson I'm a circuit court judge

for Boone Lincoln counties in West

Virginia the biggest single problem we

have right now is dealing with what's

commonly referred to as the opioid

crisis I've been all over this country

reporting on the opioid crisis and

honestly this is the worst situation

I've ever seen it's a beautiful place

Boone County tucked into the Appalachian

valleys of South Central West Virginia

the people I met talk about pride and

being from here

they're church-going they're

hard-working they've sent generation

after generation deep into the coal

mines and to cut timber but as a lot of

those jobs disappeared

folks moved away a lot of people

struggle to find work and painkillers

heroin meth took hold this is not losing

a generation this is losing multi

generations I've had where I've had to

place children with great grandparents

because both the parents and

grandparents suffered from addiction

it's taken our soul

[Music]

we've got the opiate pain reliever pills

we've got methamphetamine we've got

heroin anything really

malory Sutphin tried all sorts of pain

pills chasing a high I was a weekend

warrior as a lot of people say it's

something that I couldn't control I

didn't know how to control I just knew

that my body needed that pill and that

feeling that it gave me to even go

through the day I used to be that person

but people would see me come initial

psycho well they're suppose Carey Dolan

told us she started out on pain pills

switched to meth and then heroin you

know I was that Nadel junkie or I was

bad thief or look at her strung out

Rachel Waters she tried coke meth and

acid opiates is what ruined my life by

the time I was 19 20 I was an addict

already this seems like we're almost

ground zero for the opioid crisis we're

driving around with Chad Barker he's

chief deputy sheriff in Boone County we

have a large or a big problem with

property thefts

stealing equipment you know chainsaws

weed eaters lawn equipment breaking into

homes you know all that to supply their

drug addiction they pay for it by

stealing they pay for that by selling

themselves they pay for that by dealing

themselves there is some child sex

trafficking we're having parents use

their daughters where they'll use them

to trade their for pills

for heroin or whatever it might be how

much of the population do you think is

actively using drugs mmm I would

estimate more than 10 percent less than

20 percent a lot of the users are

parents so even though their kids are

not using they're being affected by

everybody here knows about judge

Thompson's drug court it's where you go

if you're ready to get clean and you

don't want to go to jail I always worry

about losing my community but I can't

tell you how we are trying to fix it and

we're trying to fix it one person at a

time trying to get folks like John

Russell back on track

John is cleaning up the town riverbank

part of the community service Judge

Thompson requires as part of his drug

court we stay here due to too bright of

a kid to be doing stuff like this he

said I can see good things in your

future and that's always stuck with me

it'd be easy to give up on these people

the easiest thing I could do when

someone comes before me with the

criminal charge and they're found guilty

of it is to put them in jail or prison

here's how his drug court works you got

to show up for weekly court appearances

get counseling submit to random drug

tests and do community service judge

Thompson and his team tracked

everybody's progress when we were first

there John was like an A student I will

give you a gold star this week you're

doing right there's not too many judges

to give you chance that the chance

that's a chance

they just washed her hands of you and

send you to prison he don't he cares he

saved my life

and

it's got my family back my interactions

with people in the drug court it's

almost a parent-child relationship you

think of it on this most basic scale is

they want to please the court or they

want to please their dad but some days

the judge's goal of rebuilding his

community one person at a time isn't

easy for me a drug screen that someone

did not admit to your cardinal rule here

honesty you gotta be honest if you

cannot recover if you're not honest with

yourself first and honest with you the

gentle honest with me the first time you

were in front of Judge Thompson

you lied yeah did you see right through

it I believe so I was an evil person

I was not trustworthy

I would walk in to like a family event

and I would already be eyeballing what I

could take yeah if there's anything out

in the open that I could get away with

things of that nature my mom stayed on

where I was getting my next fix I didn't

care who was in my way to get it whether

it was my boyfriend

whether it was you know my son's

birthday money and it never made a

difference to me

in 2015 I miraculously landed a job with

the United States Postal Service I went

through training and I got hired on at

the post office down the road here my

habit became so out of control at that

time that I ended up embezzling about

$8,000 from them I ended up losing my

job and got criminal charges of

embezzlement here's the other thing

about Mallory she's a mom like me back

when she was using she lost custody of

her little boy Jackson is it hard to see

his room every day

I don't come in here unless I have to

we're not going to get to the bottom of

this and let's move through grassroots

community Boone County opioid network

where community leaders like dreama mace

are trying to find solutions to the

opioid crisis here judge Thompson was

there so was Rachel waters they know

each other I think my parents was there

and I remember he made me turn around

and look at my parents and I don't

remember what you had me say to them and

I think a lot of parents want to think

that their son or daughter sitting up

there well they just took a few too many

pills you know they doubled their

prescription up that's not what they did

they took those pills melted them down

and injected it into a needle and then

injected it into their body and I want

them to hear the actual grim total

reality of what their son or daughter

did because we have a lot of parents who

love their children that are also

enablers we want to don't want to

recognize what type of problem that

their kid has got where there were times

like after I sold my car that I begged

mom to take me to get get drugs and this

is how bad just seeing that it was like

I was so sick like we would go get drugs

or whatever and the one that went one

day I remember like I just got

everything out and shot up with her

dropping me in the car like right there

that was like a really bad I just I mean

I couldn't believe I done that but I was

just sick and I was like I'm not waiting

until we get home

yes that was awful I couldn't believe

that

she was doing what she was doing and I

couldn't believe that was with her it's

so easy to say I wouldn't do that or I

would do this or I wouldn't do that you

really don't know what you will do to

you kissing with gritty determination

Rachel got healthy she has a job she

loves now she gets along with her mom

and family again

tonight she's watching her nephew head

off to the prom the social event of the

year at Scott high school there's not a

lot for kids to do in Boone County the

movie theater the pool they're gone but

baseball still draws a crowd that's

judge Thompson coaching his son will one

of his four children but it's both for

him to leave behind what he sees in the

courtroom every day the hardest thing I

have to take home with me is children

and the fact they're not being taken

care of and the fact they're not getting

a chance in life

kids like Kirsten and Tyler Bowman I met

with them on a hot day at the high

school fields these kids have been

through a lot

their dad is in prison for dealing drugs

their mom and half sister died four

years ago in a fiery car wreck after mom

had an all-day drug binge even though I

know my dad and most of my family was on

that stuff I could still tell that you

know they try and that they do actually

caring love worse they just you know

need help to get off of it they love you

a lot

but they're dependent on this substance

right yeah why don't you keep going I

don't know if it a little while I didn't

want to you so you got any hot plans for

the weekend no no Scott Briscoe is

Kirsten and Tyler's court-appointed

attorney he's really struggling to keep

up with the caseload 21 years ago when I

started practicing child abuse neglect

and representing children we did roughly

five of these cases a week flash forward

to now and we're doing over 40 a week a

week and how much of it is related to

drugs I would say 99.99% of it is

related to drugs Kirsten and Tyler were

shuffled around for months between

relatives and shelters Tyler told me he

spent most of his free time just walking

around town until Judge Thompson figured

out a way for them to live with their

dad's girlfriend the judge brings Scott

and Kirsten to court every week just to

check in Tyler said one of the best

things that's happened to him was you

I love him he's a good kid you worried

about him yeah every day there are so

many kids over the years I thought

that's when I could take home that's one

that maybe I could bring home and rescue

you're making a difference

Carrie Dolan is trying to taking part in

drug court working as a manager at a

local restaurant and paying it forward

she hired John John is a great worker he

just needed a chance a chance to get

back out there and once he's been where

John and I have been it's hard to get a

job it's hard to find I'd even let you

in the door but once you get that chance

it's all unique and in no time John had

opened his first bank account and

started to dream big well my dream is to

be an architect the buildings or even

bridges I want to be a part of something

good like that place it's a good night

but just a few weeks after we met John

things weren't going so well he was back

in court in an orange jumpsuit and

shackles after violating his parole the

judge warned John he was running out of

options but instead of sending him back

to jail judge Thompson found a place in

West Virginia where John can get some

vocational training sometimes there's a

third chance sometimes it's an 18th

chance at life but I don't like to give

up on people I like to give people a

chance to fix themselves drug court

graduation today for Tyrion Mallory Josh

Thompson and drug court psych my life

without a doubt stake my life

I was a heroin addict I had open-heart

surgery and 36 years old I had lost my

fun

I only got to sing with supervision now

I think what I want to you

he's a mine of all the people I met in

Boone County

Mallory's story is the biggest

turnaround days like this makes me think

that what we're doing very very proud of

Mallory everybody give me a chance that

he didn't have to give me what did that

do for you they gave me my life back

not only is Mallory working again she's

working for the same public defender's

office that once defended her as a

recovery coach she told me her biggest

goal now is getting joint custody of her

son in ten years he's graduated 50

people in Boone County you could be

working in a big city as a lawyer why

are you here I wanted to make my home a

better place and I'm doing everything in

my power to save it they're people

they're no different than any other

person they just happen to suffer from

addiction what I want you to do

not only for you to stay clean but I

want you to help other people get

through that's very very important we

can beat this as community our community

can come back but in order for that to

happen we have to all work together

[Music]

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