A battleground against addictions
The Rev. Dr. Rob Dewey offers an invocation at a local event.
How Star Gospel Mission partners with local drug courts
Star Gospel Mission’s impact on the community of Charleston is growing.
The Rev. Dr. Rob Dewey has seen evidence of that impact, especially in his role as a volunteer chaplain for the community’s Adult Drug Court programs.
Just the other day, Dr. Dewey stopped by Star Gospel Mission to deliver a check to cover the upcoming expenses for a man who was about to be released from jail. He was surprised to see a few folks he knew from the courts, about to tour the Mission.
“Who should show up but three of the clerks of the court,” Dr. Dewey said. “They wanted to see what was going on and learn how we can tighten the relationship.”
The relationship between Star Gospel Mission and the Drug Court programs helps men accused of drug-related crimes build a more stable, addiction-free future.
“All the judges here just really appreciate what Star Gospel Mission does for us,” Dr. Dewey said. “The Star Gospel Mission staff provides mature oversight for the folks in our program.”
How the Partnership Works
The Drug Court gives those with pending criminal charges a chance to seek recovery from substance abuse rather than facing jail time. By successfully completing the program, which lasts at least 15 months, participants can have their sentences deferred.
To be successful, participants must plead guilty to their crimes, pay court fees and victim restitution and submit to random drug testing. They are required to have full-time employment. And they must attend treatment sessions and self-help meetings.
“Sometimes they go to AA meetings once a day because there is such an addiction,” Dr. Dewey said.
One critical piece of their recovery is finding drug-free living arrangements, at least for the first year.
“That’s where Star Gospel comes in.” Dr. Dewey said. “Drug court rules are very similar to the Mission’s rules. We know they’ll be in good hands.”
Help that Goes Above and Beyond
For 28 years, Dr. Dewey served as a chaplain to first responders and victims of traumatic events in his role as the founder of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy.
The retired Episcopal priest responded to the aftermath of 9-11, several hurricanes and the 2015 mass shooting that killed nine parishioners of Emanuel AME Church. Tired from years of consoling people through trauma, Dr. Dewey retired from his role in 2017.
His new ministry, the Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy, focuses on helping those outside of emergency situations. Like the participants of the Drug Court program.
“As chaplains, we may have the opportunity to pray with them, but that's not the primary focus. We’re there to love on them,” Dr. Dewey said. “It’s a blessing to be involved in these men’s lives and see them get better.”
Part of his role in the courtroom is to look out for participant’s needs. Dr. Dewey has bought clothes and shoes for a man who didn’t have anything for a job interview. He and his fellow chaplains are helping another man obtain his green card.
He sees the same passion to go above and beyond in Star Gospel Mission’s executive director, the Rev. Dr. Marion Platt.
“He'll send me an email if he's concerned about somebody, and then I'm gonna reach out to that person,” Dr. Dewey explained. “He's not one of those folks who stays in his office. He’s really involved in the community.”
Dr. Dewey said he’s happy to help the Mission in any way that he can.
“We're very fortunate that Star Gospel Mission has been a steadfast resource in our community for such a long time,” Dr. Dewey said. “The Mission has a great reputation, while some agencies come and go. I think they do an awesome job.”
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