Melody Good, 20, and Toby Johnson, 30, who have been together for three years, were given a chance to stay out of prison on drug charges when they were both accepted into the drug court program over a year ago. The program is an alternative to jail, and focuses on treatment and recovery. Special District Judge Dennis Sprouse, who conducts drug court proceedings, is marrying the couple after a drug court session Monday. A wedding reception will follow after the ceremony at The Shed in Sallisaw.
"I'm excited," Good said of the upcoming nuptials. "I'm nervous, but I'm excited."
The two were friends for eight years before their friendship grew into a relationship, but their relationship also entailed doing drugs. They were arrested together for manufacturing methamphetamine.
"Actually in my case with my past record, the DA wanted me to do my time," Johnson said.
That time in jail amounted to 22 years. But Mike Wright, drug court administrator, kept pulling for him, and the system took a chance on Johnson and let him into the drug court program.
Good said they weren't going to let she and Johnson in the drug court program as a couple, but eventually let them in after they could see that Johnson was honestly willing to do the program.
"Mike has been a big help," Good said.
It was the first time for Good to ever be arrested in her adult life, although she says her juvenile record is long, mostly due to drug use.
They tried going sober on their own and left drugs alone for about nine or 10 months. They were staying at a local motel because Johnson was helping remodel it, and no one from their past was bothering them. During that time, Good became pregnant.
After their son was born, Johnson was working at a sawmill, but he was soon laid off. With the stress of a new baby, Johnson turned to manufacturing methamphetamine to make money.
"It was the wrong thing to do," Johnson said, now looking back at his mistake.
When they were arrested, their son was three months old, and Good's mother took the baby in, otherwise he would have been placed in foster care. Almost losing their now 17-month-old son made them want to change. Good is now expecting their second child in the fall.
They both spent about four months in jail before they were released into the drug court program.
The couple lost everything they owned while in jail, and had to stay at the Outreach Center in Sallisaw for three months before they had enough money for a place of their own. They said nothing has happened quickly, but it has all taken time and patience.
"It makes you appreciate what you've got," Good said.
Their first taste of drugs came at a young age. Johnson started using drugs when he was 13, while Good started when she was 12.
"My friends were doing it, and I was curious," Good said.
Johnson, on the other hand, grew up around drugs through his family.
"I grew up in it," Johnson said.
Throughout the candid conversation with the couple in their home, their son tottered around their house, drinking out of his sippy cup. Good and Johnson look at him when they talk about their past, and one can see that they are both thinking of their son when it comes to their recovery.
Good said they say a person has to hit bottom before realization strikes.
"He doesn't deserve any of it," Good said of their son. "We got him back and we swore to never let anything come between us again."
"I saw what roads I went down and I don't want him being that way," Johnson said of his son. "I want him to be better."
Since they have been in drug court, neither Good or Johnson have had a dirty urine analysis, which are given periodically to those in drug court to screen for drugs.
"We help one another along," Johnson said.
Good said they don't let each other get away with anything.
"I feel very fortunate to have someone in the program living in the house with me," Good said.
"You go from doing dope for 16 years," Johnson said. "At first it was really hard. As you go through the program, they teach you tools to help you stay with the program."
Good said it was overwhelming in the beginning, but they've made it.
Currently in level four of the program, Johnson still needs to get his general educational development degree and Good has to get her driver's license before moving to the next level of the program.
Between working 10 to 14 hours a day for a lawn service, Johnson said it's been hard to find the time. This is his second season to work for the lawn company. Through the winter he worked as a fuel attendant.
"No one wants to hire a felon," Good said.
When Johnson was struggling to find a job, he didn't quit.
"I regrouped and kept looking," Johnson said.
Johnson said when a person is in drug court they have weekly group counseling sessions and monthly drug court, which employers have to work around.
"The man I work for is great," Johnson said, adding that his boss works around his sessions and court dates.
Good insists that the upcoming wedding wouldn't be possible without drug court.
The couple talked in the past about getting married, but never made it a priority. Almost losing each other and their child made them want to marry, they said.
"You never know what you have until it's gone," Good said.
They wanted to get married sooner, but Judge Sprouse said told them that they needed to have more sobriety before they got married.
They said they want Judge Sprouse to conduct the ceremony because he has been there for them and watched them grow.
"He's been a big part of our recovery," Good said.
Good said it has taken a while for them to get to where they are now.
"We now have 14 months sober," Good said.
Good said they have both had to struggle along the way, but thinks drug court is a wonderful program.
Johnson and Good said in this area, methamphetamine is all around.
"Once you get rid of old friends and old places, it gets easier," Good said.
"But you have to want it," Johnson said.
The couple is half-way through the 24-month program. After Johnson gets out of the program, he will be on probation for a 20-year suspended sentence, provided that he stays out of trouble. Good received a five-year deferred sentence, and if she stays clean and doesn't get into trouble, her record could be expunged.
Good said it's been hard to earn back people's trust and get back social standing after being arrested for drugs.
Both said they do fight drug cravings, but they think about their child and going back to prison. Johnson said the tools he has learned in drug court helps curb the cravings, which he will have for the rest of his life.
"The consequences are too great," Good said. "It's not worth it."
Right now, the couple is taking it a day at a time, but they are both optimistically looking toward the future.
Johnson hopes they can one day buy some land and build a house of their own. Good said her soon-to-be husband wants to eventually have his own business in the future, and she wants to go to college.
"I have faith. I think we can do it," Good said.
