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Woman gets probation after heroin relapse
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Kayce Jo Henry had kicked heroin until life kicked her back.
The 27-year-old told Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly on Wednesday that she had started using the drug when she was 18, got addicted, quit and was attending treatment sessions.
Then, she said, there were a series of troubles, including the death of her father. Coupled with the fact that she stopped attending meetings, including Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and she was using drugs again.
That led her to no-contest pleas before the judge in municipal court Wednesday to charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug abuse instruments.
Because of her arrest in Youngstown, she violated an OVI sentence in Pennsylvania and she was forced to several months in the Venango County Jail and also had her probation extended five years, said her attorney, Walter Ritchie.
Judge Kobly said she could not understand how someone can kick their addiction and then go back.
“Why in the world would you go back to using heroin after being clean for all those years?” the judge asked her.
Henry, of Franklin, Pa., then explained her troubles, and also said her failure to keep up with treatment and meetings was a recipe for disaster.
“If I had still been in AA, I think I would’ve been OK,” Henry told the judge.
Henry said she has been sober for six months. She said she has a sponsor, a counselor and attends meetings every night. She also said she has a job.
Henry was arrested by city police Feb. 6 at West Warren and Hillman avenues. Reports said she was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for a traffic violation, and police found drug paraphernalia on her.
Judge Kobly gave Henry probation for two years, with the requirement that she continue her treatment and counseling. She also will be subjected to random drug testing, the judge said.
The judge also told Henry that she has to find a better way to cope with life then sticking a needle in her arm.