Resource library provides help for those who need it

Mark Frischman had his life back on track.

With the help and support of the Taylor County Hybrid Treatment Court program, he had fought and won his battle with substance abuse and through that victory was able to reconnect with his family and his daughter.

“He was a big success story, he did really well with his life, he had his daughter back in his life, he had his family back in his life, and he was starting to help other people on their journey,” said Wendy Ness, treatment court coordinator.

She said Frischman served as an inspiration for others that there could be a chance to rebuild their lives after battling substance abuse.

Unfortunately, his success story ended abruptly when he was killed in a workplace accident. His family didn’t want his story to end there, however, and donated money to the Treatment Court program to help others on their journey.

Ness explained the donation was used to create a resource library that is located in the lobby area outside of the courtrooms on the second floor of the Taylor County Courthouse. The library includes information about addictions of all types and last week, members of the Taylor County Literacy Council gathered with Ness and District Attorney Kristi Tlusty to mark the library becoming an official Little Free Library. This will put it on a national registry of Little Free Libraries across the country and open the door to keeping it stocked and maintained in the future.

Ness said the library idea was brought up by another person in their program who felt there was a need for resources to be available for individuals and families as they go through their recovery journeys.

“People have already started adding books to it and taking books,” Ness said. She said they plan to use treatment court funds in the future to keep the library stocked with material about addiction and substance abuse. She said there had been interest in a alumni program for those who have successfully completed the treatment court program. Since it started in 2013, Ness said they have had 45 people graduate from the Treatment Court program.

She said they have maintained contact with some of them and others choose not to because of the stigma of addiction.

In addition to materials on addiction and recovery, the resource library includes materials about teaching life skills, with items added on a regular basis.

The resource library is available whenever the courthouse is open.