Heroin addict admitted to drug court

A 46-year-old Gardnerville woman was admitted to drug court Tuesday.

District Judge Dave Gamble set aside sentencing for Roxanne Mason pending successful completion of Western Regional Drug Court. She pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Each felony count carried a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Mason's lawyer, Tod Young, said she was an appropriate candidate for the program.

"Her husband stood by her, her children are concerned about her. Roxanne also has a child with a heroin addiction," Young said.

His client started taking pain killers for a herniated disk.

"Ultimately, she went to smoking heroin," Young said. "It was shocking to me for a lady her age. In addressing this with her, I said, 'How did you get to this point?' She responded, 'I don't know.'"

Young said Mason's family was losing their home in the Ranchos and would be moving to Smith Valley.

"My concern was who would be living with her," Gamble said. "The worst possible thing would be two heroin addicts living in the same place and driving to meetings together.

Mason said she would be living on her own in Gardnerville and was grateful for the opportunity for drug court.

"I just want to say I almost lost everything I had," Mason said. "By the grace of God, people are starting to forgive me."

Mason is serving a sentence in Douglas County Jail for her second conviction of driving under the influence.

While the DUI arrest was pending, Mason was accused of obtaining methadone from pharmacies at Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Smith's between Feb. 1-28 with fraudulent prescriptions.

Gamble ordered her to remain in custody until drug court convenes on Monday. She has been in Douglas County Jail since early April.