Ionia woman gets jail, then rehab for meth

IONIA — An Ionia woman who violated her probation by testing positive for methamphetamine Feb. 5 was sentenced to 270 days in the Ionia County Jail.

Kara Darling, 43, pleaded guilty to the probation violation Feb. 18 in Ionia County Circuit Court.

Darling will receive credit for 186 days previously served. When she completes her sentence, she must go to an inpatient substance abuse program.

Probation agent Paul Merrill told Judge Suzanne Kreeger that Darling has been in Adult Drug Treatment Court twice. The first time she was released from jail, she lasted six days before violating her probation. This time she lasted 13 days.

“When she reported on Feb. 5 she was told she tested positive and denied she has a drug problem, denied that she was using, and said the tests were wrong,” Merrill said. “That’s just a (testament) to how strong this drug is and how strong her addiction is.”

Chief Public Defender Walter Downes told the court he doesn’t disagree that his client is struggling “with a very strong addiction to meth.” He asked that Darling be sent to an inpatient substance abuse treatment program, and be allowed to keep her 7411 deferral status if she successfully completes that program.

Michigan statute 333.7411 allows a defendant with a first-time drug offense to plead guilty to a drug possession charge and have the plea and the charge dismissed after successfully completing probation.

Downes added that his client preferred a jail sentence and discontinued probation.

“She doesn’t want to keep setting herself up for failure,” Downes said.

Darling told the court she was amenable to a drug rehab program and that she thinks it would give her “coping skills.”

“You have to be at a point where you admit your problem and you want help,” Kreeger said. “I’m not seeing that in you. I don’t know if it would be money well spent at this point in time.”

“Probation is expensive, too,” Darling replied. “I want my life back.”

“Unless you battle this addiction, you won’t get your life back,” Kreeger told Darling. “That’s why I’d like to see you get involved in treatment and the accountability piece of probation afterward.”

Kreeger said Darling would maintain 7411 status, but she would complete the remainder of the 270-day jail sentence before going into an inpatient program “to be sure the substance is out of your body completely.

“If you don’t complete the program, we’ll max you out and you could very well have a prison sentence,” Kreeger added. “If you continue to use, I will revoke 7411 and exceed the (sentencing) guidelines. You’ve got so much to live for. It’s important you take control.”

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