The name Sath Paul Dhanda is a familiar one to area residents who read crime blotters in local media.
He's been arrested numerous times, most recently in April for going to his mother's home in Bethany in violation of a court order.
His mother, his attorney and even Judge Robert C. Noonan want to see Dhanda turn his life around, but all acknowledge, whatever future Dhanda has, it is in his own hands.
"Alcoholism has destroyed my once promising life," said the 31-year-old Dhanda during his court appearance today. "Twelve years ago, I had every opportunity to do whatever I wanted. I had the money. I had the family. I had the support. I could have done whatever I wanted with my life."
Before sending Dhanda to prison for one-and-a-quarter to three-and-a-half years for his conviction on criminal contempt in the first degree, Noonan said he's never dealt with a defendant who has the level of Dhanda's addiction to alcohol.
"The type of person you are today, if you went away to prison for two years, the day you got out you would be drunk," Noonan said. "You have that much lack of control."
William Harper, Dhanda's attorney, acknowledged that his client has a drinking problem and said that all of Dhanda's legal problems stem from drinking.
But, Harper noted, throughout all of his ins and outs with the legal system, the system has never adequately dealt with Dhanda's underlying mental health issues.
In 2006, Dhanda, who has a broad scare that wraps around the front of his skull, suffered a serious head injury.
"I question whether what Sath does he does entirely voluntarily," Harper said. "Does he volitionally engage in the behavior that gets him into trouble? I would submit that it's difficult to determine."
Dhanda's mother, during the victim's statement portion of the sentencing hearing, described a series of treatment programs that have been "temporary fixes."
They've sometimes given her hope, but haven't really helped Sath.
She said he needs long-term treatment and he needs to get away from Batavia.
"A GCASA counselor told me to concentrate on my other two sons because there is no hope for Sath," she said.
She described her son as smart, articulate and with a talent for golf and cooking, but when he drinks "he becomes a monster."
She said she and his bothers want to look forward to a day when "people aren't looking for his name in the police blotter."
"Yes, I am a victim, and will continue to have sleepless nights and see him as he is now, but I also have pleasant memories," she said. "I recall his last Mother's Day message that he wrote, 'you have a very tough job. Yes, I mean me.'"
Dhanda said he takes full responsibility for every violation and the most recent criminal contempt charge, even if he doesn't remember what happened.
"Nobody made me go to my mother's house and nobody poured alcohol down my throat," Dhanda said.
"I've hurt loved ones and I love them so much I can't believe I do these things when I drink," he added. "Nobody wants to overcome these problems more than me. I want everybody in the community to know that I'm not the kind of person who just runs around looking for the latest buzz. Things happen and I don't know why sometimes."
Just a year ago, Dhanda said local golf pros told him he still had the talent to turn pro and that he knows his life still has potential, even if he's blown many opportunities and burned many bridges.
"I still have the desire and the drive and determination," Dhanda said. "I know I have inside of me the drive for success, and not just careerwise, but in every aspect of my life. I know I can win back the love of my family and the respect of the community."
I wish Sath all the best. I'm
I wish Sath all the best. I'm not a good friend, really only an acquaintance but I've seen him when he wasn't drunk and he was always a nice guy who turned into a lunatic when drunk. It's clear to anyone that has been around him when he's drinking that he has a serious problem. His friends need to support him at this time and if they can't they should remove themselves from his life. I truly hope he can turn his life around because he is a smart guy who we'd all like to know, NOT drunk.
I know of a great program for
I know of a great program for him. It's called teen challenge, and it's a one year program that aims to help people with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Check out http://teenchallengeusa.com/ for the full details.
I know several people that have gone through it, and all of them are doing great. I believe the success rate is somewhere around 90%, vs the 10-20% of 12 step programs like gcasa.
GCASA is not a 12-step
GCASA is not a 12-step program. It is a taxpayer sponsored Suboxone clinic. A narcotic. In fact, counselors at GCASA are no longer permitted to encourage their clients to attend 12-step programs. And if a GCASA counselor did indeed tell Sath's mother that, I would pray that he or she would find a new career.
I thought the same thing.
I thought the same thing. Tough love is one thing but I would NEVER give up on my child. My prayers go out to this family.
Prayers go out to Sath. I
Prayers go out to Sath. I hope he figures out how to help himself.
Destin, would Teen Challenge
Destin, would Teen Challenge be appropriate for a 41-year-old?
Judith, are you saying GCASA
Judith, are you saying GCASA is taxpayer-supported narcotic clinic?
Sath has already taken the
Sath has already taken the first step by admitting to himself and others his life is out of control.
Judith, are you serious? I pray GCASA is not using that poison. From what I've been told, suboxone is one of the hardest drugs to get off of. If true, I guess GCASA can claim success by getting their clients to stop using illegal drugs by hooking them on prescription drugs.
Absolutely Frank. For some
Absolutely Frank. For some reason the absurdity of treating a drug addiction with a narcotic hasn't occurred to the powers that be.
And yes Billie, that is
And yes Billie, that is exactly what I am saying.
Sounds like Judith has an axe
Sounds like Judith has an axe to grind with gcasa..... I love the way people try to make their perspective the truth.
I dont agree with all that gcasa does, but at least they are given counseling and treatment. Those not in the system just collect welfare without any help or counselling.
As for the advice given to the mother, as a parent I can understand and even condone a mother or father wanting to help but with an addiction there comes a time that, when you do help you are hurting, supporting and keeping your loved one from seeing a reality. Sometimes you have to hit a bottom before you can get your feet under you and begin to climb out of that hole. It means making the tough decision to say no, and not help.
I know I cant be the only one who has expereinced this, but I know I will probably be the only one NOT to be silent about it. Silence and apathy can do much more damage in life than speaking and taking a stand, right or wrong.
Stating the truth Kyle. A
Stating the truth Kyle. A truth that I find abhorrent and which I have every right to state my opinion about. It's allowed. A black and white fact, not much room for "perspective."
Very rarely do I comment on
Very rarely do I comment on The Batavian, primarily due to the fact I have little or no interest or knowledge of Batavia's politics and I am humble enough to not speak of something I know nothing about. This article was very different because I know enough about the subject to give an informed opinion. What initially outraged me was the fact the counselor allegedly told Sath's mother to give up hope on her son. I am of the opinion that a counselor in a drug and alcohol rehab should instill hope in their clients rather than labeling them "lost causes." I have more than a few friends who worked in that field, and at GCASA specifically, who most definitely do wonderful jobs and truly care about the people they work with. Not a one of them would ever say such a thing about someone they are trying to help. Tough love is an entirely different option and one I know as much about as humanly possible. It has nothing to do with giving up on another human being. As far as the Suboxone is concerned, it is a documented fact. I think if any of us had the specifics on how much of our Medicaid dollars are being spent on it, more would be outraged. Aside from the fact, as Mr. Bartholomew stated, it is a poison and replaces one drug addiction for another. One that we as taxpayers are funding.
It's like treating a beer
It's like treating a beer drinking alcoholic with wine.
On a more serious note, until an addict/alcoholic wants help, admitted to themselves and others they are hopelessly controlled by their drug of choice, there isn't a rehab in the world that will help them with recovery.
My opinion of GCASA changed forever when a counselor made an absurd remark to me as well.