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Celebration for two men who are the first to complete the Charlestown Addiction Recovery and Treatment Court

Two Boston men are the first individuals to complete CHART, the Charlestown Addiction Recovery Treatment, the alternative drug recovery and treatment program. The program launched last year through a partnership between the Charlestown Division of the Boston Municipal Court (BMC), its Probation Department, and the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition. The celebration was held at the Boston Municipal Court House in Charlestown.


CHART is a specialized court session which helps individuals on probation who suffer with chronic substance use. Gilbert Peterson, 33, and Jouseph Martinez, 24, voluntarily participated in court-stipulated drug treatment as an alternative to prison. A U.S. Department of Justice drug court study found that, when appropriately implemented, drug courts can reduce recidivism, decrease the chances of future drug use, and promote positive cost-saving outcomes.

Peterson said the first substance he used was marijuana, and later on he became addicted to heroin.”I decided to enroll in drug court because I wanted a better life, a sober life. I know I was an addict, and I needed help with my addiction. I have tried to quit so many times. I just wasn’t ready to stop at the time.”

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His treatment and recovery process included going to meetings with groups and with addiction counselors and working as a cook. Getting sober this time was different. “This time I was ready. I’m 33 years old. I have a family. Charlestown Drug Court was the program to help me.”

Peterson said the completion of his drug court sentence made him feel ecstatic. “I’ve been sober for two years. I’m thrilled every day. I have had total support from my family.”

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Martinez started using marijuana when he was 12 years old. He later used cocaine, pills and heroin.  “I realized that I had a problem when I started stealing from everybody. I looked at myself in the mirror, and said to myself, ‘That’s not me’.”

He said that his drug court sentence worked for him because he kept busy with a routine of meetings and appointments. At Project Place, Martinez took English lessons to improve his speaking and writing skills. He received help writing a resume, looking and interviewing for jobs and finally getting hired at the Atlantic Fish restaurant. “I have goals now. I have earned a Customer Service certificate and my GED. I want to go to Bunker Hill Community College in their nursing program. I want to find permanent housing.”

Martinez has advice for individuals considering drug court. “You’ve got to be mentally and physically ready. The commitment is seriously more than treatment. If you’re not ready, don’t take it. If you are ready, take it and don’t look back.”

Referrals to CHART come from the individual, his or her attorney, the district attorney or the probation department. Individuals convicted of arson, sex offenses or violent crimes within the past five years are not eligible. An impartial third party is responsible for screening and evaluating whether a candidate is appropriate. The program extends for a minimum of 18 months, is highly structured and requires a serious commitment from the offender. Drug court is not a diversion program, and suitability is more a question of choice and desire by the offender than a generic profile.

CHART has a team approach model to direct and coordinate treatment plans. Armed with these treatment plans, a community outreach coordinator makes the connection to appropriate resources. The community outreach coordinator for CHART is Shannon Lundin, a Charlestown resident and staff member of CSAC, a community coalition supported by the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement.

Addiction is a chronic, treatable disease, much like diabetes. Effective treatment requires a comprehensive and longitudinal approach. In the many recent articles about the epidemic of substance use, particularly opioids, many clinicians and elected officials have stated that cities and towns cannot arrest or incarcerate a way out of this problem. Drug court offers a highly structured treatment alternative to incarceration for people like Peterson and Martinez. With the treatment and support offered through drug court, these individuals can begin a path towards recovery and health, setting a true example of rehabilitation.




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