The Inter-Mountain photo by Taylor McKinnie From left, Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Jaymie Wilfong, Probation Officer Katrina Thompson, Matthew Fair, Robin Fair, Juvenile Drug Court Probation Officer Sherri Lopez and Randolph County Circuit Court Judge David Wilmoth.

ELKINS — Matthew Fair has retired from the Randolph County Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts after 15 years of donated time, dedication and care.

On May 26, members of the Randolph County Juvenile and Adult Drug Court treatment team, including Randolph County Circuit Court Judges David Wilmoth and Jaymie Wilfong, held a party and bid farewell to Fair, who had been a member of the treatment team as a defense attorney since 2011. Fair, who was described by his colleagues as one of the last two original members, began as the treatment team defense attorney after receiving a call from Wilfong, requesting his participation in the new Drug Court program in the Randolph County court system.

The Juvenile Drug Court, which began around 2010, is an alternative seven month program for kids who suffer from substance abuse. The program allows kids to stay at home while working on their addiction. Every Tuesday, the treatment team, which consists of a judge, a prosecutor, a therapist, a school liaison and a defense attorney, hold team meetings with those enrolled in the drug court. The Adult Drug Court, which started before the Juvenile Court, follows a similar format for adults with addiction.

As the team defense attorney for both courts, joining the Juvenile Court after the Adult Court, Fair attended every meeting for 15 years as a volunteer, not receiving reimbursement for his services. Sherri Lopez, the Juvenile Drug Court Probation Officer, said that at least over 120 kids have gone through the drug court program in some capacity. At least several hundred adults are estimated to have gone through the Adult Drug Court as well.

“(Fair’s) really spectacular with these kids. He really is,” Fair told The Inter-Mountain during the party. “He breaks things down, explains things to them in a way that they just get it. He’s been a huge part of this program, and I’ve worked with him for almost 30 years, so he’s kind of mentored me. I’m going to miss him.”

All of Fair’s colleagues in attendance shared similar sentiments as Lopez, all emphasizing how much they’ll miss Fair.

Fair, who attended the party with his wife, Robin, explained that the reason he stayed on with the Drug Court for as long as he did was because, in the same year he joined the newly formed program, he lost a brother to addiction. As Fair explained, it became personal. Fair said those participants who come to understand that the treatment team is there to help, not hinder, are the ones that have the most success in the program. He said they have an “aha” moment. When asked what has really stuck out to him during his 15 years with the Drug Courts, Fair said it was treatment team’s commitment to the programs’ participants.

“The dedication and caring of the team, the treatment team,” Fair told The Inter-Mountain. “Including the judges, they care. It’s not just a thing they do, it’s something they really want to work, and it shows… The treatment team as a whole really cares. They go the extra mile.”

During the party, Wilfong and Wilmoth both thanked Fair for his service to the two drug courts, speaking highly of his work and dedication to representing and supporting those participating in the program.

“I’m grateful that you’ve been there,” Wilfong told Fair. “That you’ve been a good voice of reason for a lot of these kids, and I agree with Sherri, I think there are a number of kids that we’ve had you to work with… that they have received the benefit of someone who has seen when things don’t go real well, and how to give them an opportunity and a chance to make things go better… Thank you for everything you’ve done. For all the kids who didn’t or didn’t know how to thank you. You’ve changed lives.”

“The impact that you’ve had with juvenile drug court is the same as what you’ve had in adult drug court,” Wilmoth told Fair. “You’ve had the opportunity to talk to the kids and give them a perspective from the treatment team that they wouldn’t have otherwise gotten… I think the kids and the adults appreciated the time that you took. I think they benefited… I’m going to miss having you around because I can’t look at you as the oldest person in the room anymore… Matt, it’s been good having you around, it’s been good working with you.”

While Fair is ending his time with the Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts, he still plans continue practicing law through his firm, Matthew H. Fair, Esq. Attorney at Law.