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| Can A User = A Dealer? |
| By newhavenindependent.org |
| Published: 07/07/2009 |
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Can A User = A Dealer? By Allison Schwartz-July 7, 2009 The cops say Steven Turner was dealing drugs. Nyles Glover says Turner can’t be a dealer — because he has a crack problem. Glover (pictured) made that argument under oath in State Superior Court Monday, where Steven Turner is on trial on charges of possessing narcotics with intent to sell. Glover sees a lot of addicts. A recovering user himself, Glover has spent the past 19 years as a substance abuse counselor at the Whalley Avenue state jail, helping inmates overcome substance abuse. Glover testified Monday as testimony began in Turner’s trial before Judge John C. Blue, Turner has been charged with six criminal counts. The two charges that are being heavily disputed are possession of narcotics and intent to sell. After firing two of his attorneys, Turner finally decided on one to represent him in trial. His attorney, Nicholas D’Amato, defended him in State Superior Court on Monday. Turner was arrested in August of 2007. The arrest came when three undercover cops pulled into Farnam Courts projects on Hamilton Street and were approached by individuals trying to sell crack-cocaine. Once the officers revealed they were undercover cops, the individuals fled, causing a commotion. According to the police report of the incident, Turner slipped and fell during the chase. With him on the ground, police were able to make the arrest. One cop said Turner approached the officers to sell them drugs. Defense attorney D’Amato presented a different story Monday. He claimed Turner was sitting on a nearby porch drinking beer with some friends at the time of the commotion. Startled by the police chase, Turner looked up to see one of the individuals drop a bag of crack cocaine. Since his client is a user, he naturally picked up the free bag of drugs, D’Amato claimed. After Turner placed the bag in his pocket, police then arrested him. D’Amato called Nyles Glover, the corrections department drug counselor, to the stand Monday to bolster his case. Glover’s programs at the Whalley jail are voluntary. Men fill out a self-assessment sheet that helps Glover determine the nature of their addiction. One meeting Glover runs is called “The Journey Within.” It allows inmates to work through the emotional issues causing their substance problem. Another meeting is called “Beat the Streets.” In this group, 20-30 men come together to discuss different strategies for dealing with challenges that may confront them once they are back in their community. Turner came to Glover’s program, Glover said. “In my personal opinion, yes, he is a user.” That’s why he couldn’t have been dealing drugs that day at Farnam Courts, he said. “Drug dealers do not usually come into the group.” He later added that drug dealers “think they are on top of the totem pole.” They have money, a more glamorous lifestyle, and look down on the users in counseling, he said. He also testified that “people in that jail will not even consider coming forward if they do not have a serious substance abuse problem.” Since the defense is trying to prove Turner should not be charged with intent to sell, it was a crucial moment. Glover recounted that Turner sought counseling early on in his incarceration. Due to an overcrowded jail with little funding, he was put on a wait list. Finally, Turner was admitted into Glover’s program this March. Read more. |
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