More Than a Coin: How Hope and Accountability Transform Lives in Drug Court

It’s easy to assume that difficult achievements require big rewards. But psychologists have found the opposite is often true. Small, heartfelt tokens can be even more powerful, signaling that the effort was made for its own sake—not just for the prize.

Research shows this difference—between internal motivation and external validation—leads to greater satisfaction in our choices, hard work, and success.

A meaningful example of this can be seen at each Drug Court graduation. The program has a simple but powerful mission: to break the cycle of substance use and crime by supporting individuals in their recovery journey. Drug Court emphasizes accountability and responsibility while helping participants become healthy, contributing members of the community.

At every graduation, Rosemary Fitzgerald from the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office presents each graduate with a Hope Coin—a small, golden token symbolizing how far they’ve come. It's a tangible reminder of their achievement and a keepsake they can carry with them as a symbol of their strength and growth.

Fitzgerald has been involved with therapeutic courts and the Strophy Foundation since 2017, working with Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and DUI/Drug Court. The Hope Coin tradition began as part of Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim’s passion project rooted in Hope Theory.

“On his behalf, I give out the coins to all Drug Court graduates,” says Fitzgerald. “We’ve been doing that since I first got involved in treatment courts.”

Hope Theory suggests that hope is built on three key components: goals, pathways, and agency. It’s the belief that people think in goal-oriented ways, can find paths to reach those goals, and have the personal agency to change their lives.

For Fitzgerald, witnessing these transformations is a daily source of inspiration. “I love working in treatment courts because of the one-on-one attention we give to defendants; there’s nothing like it in any other criminal proceeding,” she explains. “As a prosecutor, I’m usually limited to police reports and criminal history. But in Drug Court, I spend 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 adds that providing tools to address the root causes of behavior—rather than defaulting to incarceration—has lasting impacts. “I tell graduates all the time that my hometown is better because of their sober participation,” she says. “They get jobs, build stable home lives, and become role models for others who are still struggling. That’s a far more effective solution than sending someone to DOC for a ‘time out,’ only to return without skills or coping mechanisms.”

Still, she acknowledges the process isn’t for everyone. “Some folks aren’t ready or willing to do the work, and for them, the traditional path might be more appropriate. But for those who want to change, I see it as my responsibility to help create a Drug Court environment that holds them accountable, keeps the community safe, and fosters growth and success.”

In the end, it’s that commitment—and a small golden Hope Coin—that represent not just a reward, but a legacy of transformation that can ripple across generations.