One man's story can be
a light for others

By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

Breck Snyder, of Cascade Locks, considers his 2007 arrest for felony child neglect and drug possession as a turning point in his life.

“It was actually a blessing to be caught and get an opportunity to come into this (counseling) program,” he said.

“I didn’t have the strength on my own to get help but, once I was caught, it was offered to me.”

Snyder, 31, spent weeks of his 24-month probation attending group therapy sessions at the county courthouse. These forums were facilitated by James Patterson, a licensed clinical social worker. Patterson works on Wednesday and Thursday for the Hood River County Community Justice Department.

“A lot of people just need guidance from someone to show them their options,” he said.

Patterson’s clients — both juvenile and adult — almost universally have substance abuse problems that are fed by an underlying mental health issue.

“I used to be a big risk-taker but I have learned that I have limits,” said Snyder.

“I also used to have a criminal mentality — I was always thinking about the way to get what I wanted.”

He said Patterson has helped him and the other 12-16 adults in the group learn more about their thought processes. All these individuals pay to gain this insight is an initial $50 assessment fee.

Patterson said the investment by taxpayers to subsidize the program is well worth it. He said research shows that every $1 invested in treatment saves about $5 in other public services. Plus, public safety is better protected because the rate of recidivism among offenders drops dramatically.

“Addiction is a series of excuses, justifications and rationalizations,” said Snyder. “Accountability has its finger pointed at you.”

He was once reactive to the stresses in life, often self-medicating with methamphetamine and other drugs. He is now proactive and realizes that there is no “quick fix” for the problems in life, but they can be overcome with hard work and perseverance.

“My daughter tells me that she’s proud of me all the time now,” said Snyder.

He has come a long way in healing his relationship with two children, ages 7 and 10. On May 14, 2007, they were removed from the trailer that he shared with an ex-girlfriend.

Sheriff Deputy Pete Hughes had shown up to serve an eviction notice but became concerned about the family’s unsanitary living conditions. He reported to the Department of Human Resources that the children were exposed to animal fecal matter, black mold and rotting food, as well as meth and drug paraphernalia.

The cased dubbed “Meth Home and Garden” by law enforcement officials made the front page of the Hood River News.

Hughes was quoted as saying, “This was the type of place where you wipe you feet on the way out, not on the way in.”

Snyder pleaded guilty to the charges against him. He was directed by Judge Paul Crowley to take parenting classes, complete a treatment program and, literally, clean up his act.

“My house is now completely immaculate and I am proud to actually invite people inside,” said Snyder.

He never relapsed on his path to sobriety, which Patterson said is unusual for an addict. Snyder was determined to succeed in his quest for sobriety and to become a better parent.

He is now gainfully employed and is rebuilding relationships with his family, who became estranged because of his drug abuse.

“When you have to be high all of the time, and I did, you don’t take care of anything, let alone yourself,” said Snyder.

“Now, even the smallest triumph that I didn’t have before makes me proud of who I am.”

Patterson assesses 350-400 individuals per year for their willingness to work within the counseling program. Some are felony offenders and others have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes. Hood River County, unlike many others, also pursues prosecution of more minor cases.

As a former mental health counselor at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities, Patterson is experienced at not letting offenders see themselves as victims.

“I really enjoy working with this population,” he said.

“The benefit of group therapy is that, with all of the resistance that people who use drugs usually have, they hear from their peers that they are deceiving themselves.”

He said most of the offenders in the eight- to 24-week sessions are already shouldering a burden of “shame and disapproval” so they don’t need any more heaped upon them. Instead, he said they are encouraged, often with the use of humor, to set treatment goals and use rational responses to cope with life’s stresses.

“Some of our men and women would not be able to afford mental health services anywhere else,” said Patterson, who also operates a private practice in Hood River.

The advantage of holding therapy sessions at the courthouse, said Patterson, is that probation officers are also on site to interact with the offenders.

Patterson spends Wednesday and Thursday mornings working with adults. On Thursday afternoon he consults with juveniles.

“Jim’s all business and builds rapport with our clients that really addresses their core issues,” said Robbie Johnson, juvenile counselor.

She said teenage offenders have often experienced severe trauma in their childhood and are suffering from depression. She said Patterson helps them understand the origin of their destructive behavior.

“If we had the dollars, my ultimate dream would be to see this in-house program expanded to 40 hours per week. It is such a huge service for our clients and the community,” said Donita Huskey-Wilson, director of Community Justice.