Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
First-time Offender Successfully Completes Diversion Program
Another participant in the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office Diversion and Rehabilitation Treatment (DART) pre-arrest diversion program has successfully completed the program.
Participants often enter DART program during the lowest points of their lives but leave with renewed hopes for promising futures.
Officers make recommendations to the Prosecutor’s Office before making arrests. Prosecutors and DART program director Kasi Stewart review candidates for selection.
In addition to counseling first-time drug offenders demonstrating a sincere wish to improve their lives, DART helps participants secure stable housing and reliable transportation, so they can obtain regular employment and meet their obligations as contributing members of society.
After “Alex,” age 24, was arrested for illegal drug possession, he was referred to the DART program for help getting his life back on track. Eleven months later, Alex has completed the program and is in a better place than he was before. He has received a promotion at his job and is considering pursuing higher education.
Alex says his time in DART helped him mature as a person.
“I think it benefited me to grow up and change how I approached things in life,” Alex said. “Before the program, I was just still doing kid stuff and making bad decisions. Obviously, that's what it got me into the program. It really helped me grow up and change and become a better person. It helped me move on with life and start getting my life together. I got a promotion in my job, and I bought a new car, so it really helped me become an adult.”
Alex says DART helped him stay motivated to improve himself.
Once like I hit the roadblock of getting in trouble and getting charged with a felony for having drugs, I feel like it really slowed things down and slowed my mental state down. Once I got introduced to the program and got into the program, it helped me be more motivated to keep on moving and keep my head on straight, so I wouldn’t go down a worse path.
DART program director Kasi Stewart says the diversion program makes it easier for participants to make good life decisions.
“DART considers each individual participant’s needs and links them to specific resources to eliminate barriers in their lives,” Stewart said. “The program supports participants while holding them accountable for their behaviors.
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