The sober community in Ottawa County would likely not be as strong as it is today without the supportive presence of Judge Bruce Winters. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Ottawa County arguably has one of the most collaborative, powerful sober communities in the state. A remarkable cohesiveness ties together those who are new to recovery, those who have maintained years of sobriety, and those who provide foundational support, including the courts, law enforcement, mental health staff, local government officials and countless other people who understand that sobriety is possible and sustainable.

The cornerstone of the county’s strong sober community is Ottawa County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Winters. Without his early commitment to helping people in recovery fight their way out of addiction, it is unlikely Ottawa County would have so many success stories.

Winters was a founding member and early force in the opening of Light House Sober Living, which has provided a place of security and stability for many men and women in the early stages of sobriety. About ten years ago, Winters started the Drug Addiction Treatment Alliance (DATA) specialized docket in his court. The program, commonly called Drug Court, utilizes a team of professionals that help people convicted of drug-related crimes step into sobriety.

But Winters’ story starts long before he became a judge. He was first a police officer.

“I’ve been involved in criminal justice since 1975,” Winters said. “I was a police officer for years, and I was a little frustrated by what I saw in the system.”

Winters decided to go to law school and then entered private practice for 21 years and was a prosecutor for 15 years. He became a judge, he said “by happenstance.” Judge Paul Moon asked Winters to be his magistrate, and then, when Moon retired, Winters ran for his seat and won.

“I’m truly glad I did,” Winters said. “It’s a great gig. I’m in a position to do a lot of helping. That’s been important to me since I became a police officer. I’ve always wanted to help and make a difference.”

Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters, right, congratulates Marquis Reynolds during his graduation from Drug Court on March 21. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Winters has made a difference over and over again. Men and women across the county can say that their lives were transformed by Light House Sober Living and Drug Court, which has empowered many people to maintain sobriety and avoid recidivism. A treatment team works hand in hand with Drug Court participants to help them work through the difficult program successfully. For some of them, Drug Court offers their first connection to people who care enough to invest in their lives.

“All we’re trying to do is teach people a different way to live. Some never knew that,” Winters said.

Even with his years of expertise, Winters cannot predict which Drug Court participants will find and maintain sobriety after they graduate from the program, so he treats each one like they are a success story worthy of every bit of effort and advocacy.

“Recently, we had a man in Drug Court who never had a driver’s license. He didn’t have a job, but he’s kicking butt, just because someone gave him a chance for the first time in his life,” Winters said.

There’s a lesson for the whole county there. Far too often, people in active addiction are viewed as hopeless, but there is a whole community of hardworking, compassionate, successful people who have found new lives in sobriety and are part of the framework that is making Ottawa County a better place to live.

It’s time for Ottawa County to take the next step in its positive response to addiction by viewing every person in active addiction as a person full of promise and potential. If Winters can’t predict a person’s success in sobriety, no one can. We all need to see the world through winter eyes – eyes that see the present darkness but recognize that a brighter spring of new life is coming.

Editor’s note: This story on Ottawa County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Winters is the first in a series of stories leading up to Overdose Awareness Day, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. in The District in downtown Port Clinton.