Devin Schneider is proudly sporting dark khakis, a blue tie and a big smile the morning of July 31. It is an important day for him: He is drug-free and has been for a whole year.
Roughly a year ago, Schneider was arrested for possession (he would not tell this reporter the substance) while studying at the University of Mary Washington. He pleaded guilty and was admitted to the Charlottesville/Albemarle Drug Court Program, where he submitted to daily drug tests, made weekly court appearances, attended intensive substance abuse rehabilitation and got a full-time job.
Schneider struggled at the beginning, getting sanctioned for using alcohol, thus prolonging his stay in the program. But one night, as clichéd as it may sound, his life changed when he met Jimmy.
 James E. Crenshaw III helped inspire Devin Schneider as they both quit drugs and alcohol to avoid jail time for drug offenses. |
“Jimmy and I were in the same treatment group, and he needed a ride home, so I drove him and we just clicked,” says Schneider. James E. Crenshaw III is a fellow graduate of the program, and, unlike Schneider, was an inspiration to drug court officers from the start. Crenshaw kept an eye on Schneider, pushing him to stay positive and encouraging him to follow the strict rules. They became close friends and depended on each other to stay sober.
Crenshaw’s stellar performance was attributed to his determination to be a good father and son. His drug court officer shared his journey, praising his courage to admit he felt isolated, alone. At a very early age he started smoking marijuana and his use only increased with time.
Now he wants to go back to school and get a degree in computer science. “I plan on staying out of trouble and catching up on my child support,” says Crenshaw. He is currently working as a full-time cook at the local IHOP.
On July 31, they both stood tall in front of a packed courtroom receiving praises from Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Edward Hogshire and featured speaker, Bob Gibson, former Charlottesville reporter and current executive director of the Sorensen Institute.
The drug court program is an alternative to incarceration, and a more successful one at that, says Jeff Gould, drug court administrator. Schneider and Crenshaw were among the four graduates of the program, which enrolls 45 to 50 people. Gould is proud to say the program is not only more efficient in recovery rates than incarceration, but also in its cost: The state spends on average $22,000 on a year of incarceration versus a quarter of that in drug court. In this year’s General Assembly session, House Republicans made an effort to cut funding to the program, though drug court ended up escaping the legislative scalpel.
After graduating, Crenshaw and Schneider walked out of the courtroom hugging family and friends. Both graduates are already planning their future.
“I am going back to Mary Washington and [will] study economics,” says Schneider. “But my dream is to be a sports journalist.” Crenshaw’s dream, on the other hand, involves traveling—if not physically, at least in his thoughts. “I want to go on an island and hang back in the sun.”