Too often an encounter with the legal system is the first step in a long, troubled relationship that sees a life tumble downhill into an increasingly sad end.
But other times it can the beginning of an abrupt change in direction.
That is the case with one man who came before provincial court judge Barbara Flewelling in Campbell River Feb. 22.
B次元官网网址淵ou are a wonderful example of how people can get out of that cycle,B次元官网网址� the judge said to Michael Andrew McConechy in a sentencing hearing.
McConechy had been charged with theft under $5,000 for stealing a pair of eyeglass frames from Iris Optical in Campbell River on Oct. 2, 2018. At 10 a.m. that day, he was observed taking a pair of $250 frames and it was caught on surveillance video. Police attended the store after McConechy had left with the frames but he was found later elsewhere in Campbell River and arrested.
Crown counsel Tim Morgan told the court that McConechy has a B次元官网网址渘ot insignificantB次元官网网址� record of property crimes but has relocated to Victoria and has been making good use of programs available to people with addictions.
B次元官网网址淗e appears to be taking steps forward,B次元官网网址� Morgan said.
Defence counsel Sarah Runyon told the court that back in November, McConechy applied to have his house arrest program relaxed so he could attend the Second Chance program.
B次元官网网址淔rom November forward, he was doing exceptionally-well in-program; fully-compliant with all terms and conditions,B次元官网网址� Runyon told the court.
He then moved on to the Together We Can program. He was back in court in December to apply to relax the conditions further, in light of his progress. McConechyB次元官网网址檚 handwritten letter to the court at that time B次元官网网址渆loquently communicates how proud he is of himself,B次元官网网址� Runyon said.
B次元官网网址淚t can often be difficult for the court and people who have not either personally struggled with addiction or seen that firsthand to understand how difficult that is, after years of addiction, to quit cold turkey without relapse at this point,B次元官网网址� Runyon said.
McConechy has re-established his relationship with his mother who is B次元官网网址渁bsolutely elatedB次元官网网址� with his progress, Runyon said.
McConechy is now more than four months sober and continues to reside at the second stage housing in Victoria and has secured employment starting in May. He also volunteers with the Rees Mental Health & Employment program run by the Cool Aid Society in Victoria.
B次元官网网址淗is day-to-day is now productive,B次元官网网址� Runyon said.
None of this turnaround was a result of anything ordered by the court or probation service, Runyon pointed out.
B次元官网网址淚t came from within him,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗is life has done a 180.B次元官网网址�
McConechy stood at the invitation of the judge and addressed the court.
B次元官网网址淚 am doing very well,B次元官网网址� McConechy told the court.
B次元官网网址淪itting in jail just doesnB次元官网网址檛 do much for you,B次元官网网址� he said.
Generally, you come back out and most likely donB次元官网网址檛 have housing and you fall back into old relationships but this time he was able to leave those relationships and start a program and actually do the work and get sober, he said.
B次元官网网址淵ou work on changing your life,B次元官网网址� he said, not just attend the meetings.
The group home he is living in helps keep him on task and heB次元官网网址檚 been able to get healthy. During his last appearance in court he sat in the prisonerB次元官网网址檚 box skinny and shivering from withdrawal.
B次元官网网址淚 see a healthy young man (now). ItB次元官网网址檚 just quite remarkable,B次元官网网址� Judge Flewelling said.
The Crown acknowledged the steps McConechy had taken to get sober and turn his life around. The Crown and defenceB次元官网网址檚 joint submission took the position that jail time is appropriate but the 40 days he has already spent in pre-trial custody should be sufficient. Crown counsel Tim Morgan said that given the success McConechy has had in dealing with his addiction and the success heB次元官网网址檚 had with counselling programs, more jail would not be of any use.
The judge congratulated McConechy and, acknowledging his volunteer work, told him his experience can be a positive example.
B次元官网网址淵ou will be able to help others who feel trapped,B次元官网网址� the judge said. B次元官网网址淭he law and our courts should always recognize that someone has made incredible effort and progress in their own recovery because ultimately everyone benefits when someone is able to recover and step away from an addiction.B次元官网网址�
She said that McConechy not only has the ability to help others but also teach others, not only people in the community but community leaders, B次元官网网址渃ities, governments, people who need to understand what is needed to help people who are in the throes of the addiction cycle.B次元官网网址�
editor@campbellrivermirror.com
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