A brass coin with no cash value has become the final act of recognition in Thurston County Drug Court.

Called the “Hope Coin,” the token is given by the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) to every graduate who finishes the court’s recovery program as a symbol of second chances. 

The office confirmed on Thursday, May 29, that the “Hope Coin” is handed to individuals who complete the court’s drug treatment program. 

“Sometimes, a simple token like a Hope Coin carries the deepest meaning. In Drug Court, it symbolizes strength, growth, and the power of real transformation,” a statement from the prosecuting attorney's office reads. 

Coin of hope and reform 

According to the Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim first introduced the Hope Coin as part of his passion project. He embedded the coin into the court’s process to reinforce the meaning of recovery. 

The tradition is based on “Hope Theory,” the idea that people do better when they set goals, find ways to reach them, and believe they can succeed. 

Tunheim designed the coin to represent “goals,” “pathways” and “willpower.” He intended it to serve more than just a keepsake meant to remind graduates of how far they’ve come and what they’re still capable of.  

The Thurston County Drug Court is an alternative to jail for people facing felony charges linked to substance use. Participants who plead guilty enter a court-supervised recovery plan.  

Over a period of 18 to 24 months, participants are required to “attend treatment, pass drug tests, go to regular court hearings, and make progress in housing, employment, or education.” 

To graduate, they must show six months of continuous sobriety and accomplish all program requirements, including payment of "victim restitution and program-related fees.” 

If they succeed by staying sober, and completing their treatment and court terms, their charges can be dismissed at the final hearing where the Hope Coin is presented. 

Deputy Prosecutor Rosemary Fitzgerald, who has worked on the Drug Court team since 2017, said her role in therapeutic courts allows her to see more than what case files usually reveal. 

“As a prosecutor, I’m usually limited to police reports and criminal history. But in Drug Court, I spent two years watching someone get clean and navigate life’s challenges. It’s incredibly inspiring and gives me real hope that people can change when given the right structure,” she said in a statement published by the Strophy Foundation. 

The recovery process, she added, takes work. People sometimes relapse, skip appointments, or face housing problems. But the court tracks every step until graduation. 

The Strophy Foundation noted Drug Court graduates receive the Hope Coin just as “each veteran graduate receives a handmade quilt, and mental health court graduates are given a hand-carved box.” 

Treatment courts 

Judge Brett Buckley, who presides over Thurston County Mental Health Court and Veterans Court, said in a statement released by the foundation that treatment courts changed his understanding of justice and accountability. 

Buckley said jail often becomes the default when someone fails to follow court orders, even when other options might be more effective.  He said treatment courts give people another chance, and they have been proven to work. 

The judge also said the county spends about $135 to $150 each day to keep one person in jail. He said treatment courts reduce both how much the county spends and how often people reoffend. 

“Our Mental Health and Veterans Courts have rates between 5 to 15%, compared to 55 to 60% in traditional courts. This is a big win for the county,” he said. 

One participant named by Buckley was Thomas Benjamin. 

He described Benjamin as "quiet and reserved" during the program. Over time, Benjamin opened up and shared his story with the court, which Buckley called a powerful moment. 

Benjamin relayed that meeting others in the program helped him build confidence. Seeing people rebuild their lives made him believe he could do the same.

He also shared that the experience changed how he viewed not just the court, but his entire life. 

“I’ve made a lot of changes. When I see how I react differently now, even compared to just a few months ago, I realize life feels better than it ever has, and it’s only getting better," Benjamin said. 

Benjamin said he wants to support others who face similar struggles, and he hopes to advocate for people who need someone to point them toward a better path.