Drug abuse and drug peddling account for a large percentage of criminal cases in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. Wednesday, three people were ordered to undergo treatment for their drug problem as part of the punishment for their crimes.

Calvin D. Kersey, Jr., 22, of 1125 S. Eighth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in drugs. Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced him to four years community controlled sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP). Kersey must also successfully complete a rehabilitation program at a community based correctional facility.

Jami S. Porter, 35, of 264 Susan Court, Ironton, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs. Bowling sentenced him to four years CCS/ISP and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation program at a CBCF as well.

Porter told Bowling he had battled a 10-year addiction that occurred after he was injured on the job and began to use pain medication but that he had made progress and was getting help for his addiction when he was set up by a drug informant.

“I got caught up in a bunch of baloney,” Porter said.

Also Wednesday, Christina D. Nease, 29, of 54 Township Road 1195, South Point, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of drugs (oxycodone) and misdemeanor counts of possession of criminal tools, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bowling sentenced her to four years CCS/ISP and must complete an in-house drug treatment program. She was also fined $1,250. Bowling also ordered her to forfeit $1,687 seized from her at the time of her arrest. That money will be turned over to the Lawrence County Drug Task Force.

“She does have a substance abuse problem,” her attorney, Michael Gleichauf explained. “She wants to kick that addiction not only for herself but for her children.”