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“He was a 22-year-old meth addict,” recalled Michael O’Rourke, a retired court substance-abuse assessment counselor whose primary job was to screen defendants convicted of substance abuse-related crimes and suggest treatment programs for judges’ probation orders.
“After talking with him, I realized he needed quick help. So, I drove him to [Volunteers of America] detox, and they likely saved his life. Last I heard from him he was doing well.”
This was a common occurrence for O’Rourke during his 15-year career as a court assessment counselor. While maintaining professional boundaries, he often went above and beyond his job duties in encouraging defendants to deal with their alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health issues.
“I knew what they were going through because I’ve been there,” he said.
Born in 1951 and raised in Los Angeles, O’Rourke was introduced to alcohol at an early age watching his dad drink heavily every night.
He faced alcohol-related conflicts in the household and experienced physical and verbal abuse during his childhood. He was later diagnosed with mental health conditions arising from trauma.
He turned to substance abuse.
By 18, O’Rourke was a binge and blackout drinker and regularly used drugs including cocaine, amphetamines and barbiturates.
He had little ambition and largely hung out at the beach.
Following high school and after dropping out of college during his last year, he took various jobs to help support his lifestyle.
“When my mom died in 1975, it got worse,” he said. “I had a lot of guilt and self-contempt. I was living like someone who didn’t want to be here and repeatedly had suicidal thoughts.”
He moved to San Diego in 1980 to start a new life and got married, which helped, but he took no steps to address his addictions. He continued drinking alcohol and using drugs, primarily marijuana.
O’Rourke’s turnaround came over 15 years later when working as a counter clerk processing documents at the El Cajon courthouse. He heard of an open substance-abuse assessment counselor position.
“I viewed it as a dream job,” he said. “Everything I had been through my whole life. My own struggles. I understood addiction and mental health disorders and could help others.”
O’Rourke credits El Cajon court administrator Fred Lear for believing in him.
“Fred told me what I needed to do to become an assessment counselor and gave me the opportunity to earn it,” he said. “I was determined about a goal for the first time in my life.”
He returned to college and obtained a bachelor’s in sociology, took additional required classes and earned a state-recognized certification for substance-abuse counseling.
Additionally, he faced up to his own addictions, attending Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In 1999, he made the extraordinary jump from counter clerk to substance-abuse assessment counselor.
“My job became my recovery,” he said, noting he remained clean and sober throughout his 15 years as counselor.
“Fred Lear changed my life. I would never betray him or the assessment unit.”
During his career, he assessed thousands of convicted defendants and advised judges on their treatment. O’Rourke established relationships with many of the defendants and would encourage them to get treatment and follow judges’ orders.
When helpful to connect, he would discuss his own addictions. “I’ve been there,” he would tell them.
Two cases illustrate the peaks and valleys he encountered.
“One kid had a bad meth problem and resisted therapy meetings at first,” O’Rourke recalled. “I encouraged him, and he was making progress. But, one day his stepdad came in and told me his son passed away from an overdose.
“Another had a bi-polar problem. I encouraged him for about six months. He became a publicist, and last I saw him he was doing well.”
Now in retirement, O’Rourke lives with his wife of 43 years in Rancho San Diego and enjoys writing, singing and playing golf.
Looking back, he believes that the opportunity to help others was a gift that helped him overcome his own adversity.
“I feel blessed and grateful to God for seeing me through my darkest days.”
Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist.
We welcome reader suggestions of people who have done something extraordinary or otherwise educational, inspiring or interesting and who have not received much previous media. Please send suggestions to Jan Goldsmith at jgsandiego@yahoo.com
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