Most judges put people in prison, but this one is working to set people free from addiction. Drug Court started in January of 2011, and is a way to keep people out of prison and to get them the help they need. KELOLAND News has shown you a number of stories about drug court and its graduates. 

A puzzle with her son Elias is treasured time for Ashley Houle. 

“When I was using, it was always on the go go go,” Houle said.

Houle is recovering from meth addiction, and she just finished drug court in Minnehaha County.

“I’m extremely proud. I feel like I graduated high school again,” Houle said. 

Then it’s very fitting that at the head of her classroom, you’ll find a former teacher. 

“I didn’t grow up saying I wanted to be a lawyer my whole life. I didn’t grow up saying I wanted to be a judge my whole life,” Judge Pat Riepel said.

Riepel used to teach high school business classes, but became an attorney and eventually a judge. She retired from the magistrate bench, but still presides over drug court.

“Somehow or another, I always thought in my mind that if you give someone a positive touch it’ll pay you back,” Riepel said. 

“Judge Riepel is a straight shooter and she’s so sweet. I don’t know anybody who would devote almost all of their time to helping addicts to better themselves,” Houle said. 

Riepel is a big advocate for drug court, and she says this method allows her to supervise people in the program, and interact with them in a different way. 

“When people come to the court, they’re always in trouble. Always in trouble. Why else would you come to the courthouse. When you have them come back and they’re doing well, that’s a positive re-enforcement,” Riepel said. 

In drug court, there is a team made up of attorneys, law enforcement, treatment counselors and more to help the people who come here. Riepel is quick to not take credit, because she says that group is the key to a graduate’s success. 

“You have to give people some type of inner strength they don’t have. You have to help them build that,” Riepel said. 

Houle says that approach helped her.

“When you have somebody who is highlighting the positive things and focusing on what you’re doing well, I think that makes it a lot easier to keep the snowball going and to keep going in the right direction,” Houle said. 

That’s not to say Riepel doesn’t hold offenders accountable. 

“I’m tough. I have no qualms about that. I am what I am,” Riepel said. 

“They try really hard to make her proud, so that’s nice to see,” Michelle Boyd, Chief Deputy – Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, said. 

Boyd is part of the drug court team. She agrees that the group of people is vital, but says Riepel sets the tone for the courtroom.

“She puts in so much time and energy and effort outside of the part time work. So, I think we’re very fortunate,” Boyd said. 

Putting together a puzzle with her son wouldn’t be possible if Ashley Houle hadn’t found a way to make the pieces of her life fit together. She says drug court is helping her do that, and a big reason is Judge Pat Riepel. 

“There are good things about me and I may not see them. That’s the reason she pushes for people because she sees the potential in you,” Houle said. 

Proof that behind every graduate, there’s a teacher.

“You have a lot of power. You affect a lot of people’s lives. You can put people in jail. You can put them in the penitentiary. Having this authority has led me to having this payback, one life at a time,” Riepel said.