Hunter Carlson latest Drug Court graduate

Hunter Carlson graduated from the Steele Waseca County Drug Court program the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 20. Surrounded by family and friends, the Honorable Judge Hanks, and of course the Steele Waseca County Corrections team, Carlson completed the agreed-to steps to finish his commitment to the state.

 

With twenty-six months of reform under his belt, Carlson walked out of the Waseca County Courthouse with a plaque acknowledging his accomplishment and a letter from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Since October 12 of 2023, Carlson has been dealing with the drug team, they know him by name and by the connection they’ve made with him. He’s graduate number 119 from the program. His girlfriend, Heather, was in the spectator seats, as were his daughters, Vienna Mae, a curly blond toddler who was waddling around, and newborn Zella.

 

The team had words of encouragement and provided some amazing facts. Nicole Grams, Drug Court Coordinator, who worked closely with Carlson said, “For those who don’t know, new entries into the Steele Waseca County Drug Court have steps they need to take. By coming into the drug court you avoid jail time. The minimum length of the program is 18 months, but the average is two years. Someone comes into the program, they need to be classified as high risk/high need, and willing to participate. They need to be a Waseca or Steele county resident and referred to us on a probation violation or new offense; Hunter’s was a probation violation. When participants get into the second phase, still in treatment, still focusing on mental health, this will help get them into the work force. Mapping out getting a GED if necessary and a driver’s license, which a lot of the time is getting fines paid. The third phase is cognitive skills. Participants are encouraged to identify thoughts, feelings and attitudes, and look for new ways to respond to problems. The last phase is to get integrated into the recovery community; this is different for everyone, but Hunter has built a strong network of recovery individuals to help him. He has to stay sober and demonstrate his ability to do so. The average person takes anywhere from two to four urine analysis tests a week; Hunter has taken 206.” With this fact there were gasps of surprise throughout the crowd and another round of applause.

 

The Honorable Judge Hanks summarized a few positive impressions she’d made but she wanted to give Carlson a chance to read a letter he wrote. “To Judge Hanks and the drug court team, I want to thank you for the opportunity to be in the drug court program. I’ve been sober for 591 days; I now have a license, my GED, and have completed treatment successfully. All because of you guys, the support you have given me gave me hope and made me feel I could do it.” Carlson had to take a moment to collect himself, and wipe a tear. He made the rest of his speech a little more quietly, which made it hard to hear in the back of the room, but at the end he received another round of applause, and more wiping of faces.

His two daughters were born through this rough time. Along with Heather, Zella Mae and Vienna Mae, his mother Nancy was online through a Zoom call. In the crowd were Davis, Josh, Dillion, Maggie and Casey. At the end, Carlson took his plaque, his letter from Klobuchar, and his two daughters and walked out of the Waseca County Courthouse with his head held high, reporting he was on his way home to bake cookies.