The first time Damian Micol was arrested for drunken driving, he was 19. By age 21, he was drinking every day, working his way through a 12-pack in his truck. He was arrested again in April 2013 for driving drunk in Waterford.
“I lost my wife and almost lost my job,” said Micol, a Milford resident.
“It got really bad.”
On Thursday, Micol, now 26, stood before Waterford 51st District Court Judge Richard Kuhn Jr. and graduated from Sobriety Court, a special court focused on treating repeat offenders.
Micol credited the court program – specifically the device installed on his car that monitored his alcohol content and allowed him to keep driving – that helped him get sober.
On Thursday, Michigan courts celebrated that device, called an ignition interlock, and the program connected with it that began four years ago.
Ignition interlocks prevent a vehicle from being driven if the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a certain level – measured by blowing into the device.
The state study of interlock program data showed 88 percent of those enrolled in the interlock program graduated, compared to 66 percent in groups without the interlock device.
Interlock participants have the lowest recidivism rate for drunken driving charges for one, two and three years after their first conviction, according to the state.
People with the device can drive to work and their court-ordered appointments.
Micol, a machinist, said the “demanding” Sobriety Court program was almost like having a second job.
“I had to attend Alcoholics Anonymous twice a week, drivers impact panel, have drug testing 12 times a month and do 150 hours of community service,” he said.
Micol gave a moving statement in court before Kuhn, sometimes stopping to wipe away tears.
He thanked Kuhn and his family, including his new wife, Allison, and their 10-month-old son, Noah, who squealed at times during the ceremony.
Micol said, “I got lucky I didn’t kill anybody (while driving drunk).
“I’ll always be an addict. I take one day at a time. I have a better outlook on life and get to see my child grow up.”
Kuhn told him he had done a “terrific job.”
Michigan has 164 specialty courts, including drug, veterans and sobriety courts.
“We can say treatment works,” said Cass County Probate Judge Susan Dobrich.
The specialty courts have “reduced recidivism and are saving lives and strengthening families.”
A similar program was held Thursday in Novi’s 52-1 District Court.
“We know all too well that drunk driving kills,” said Chief 52nd District Court Judge Julie Nicholson.
“There is solid data which indicates that ignition interlocks used in conjunction with our DWI/Sobriety Court supervision save lives by preventing drunk drivers from getting back on the road.”
