Family/Living Situation – Derrick D. Griffin is a 33 year old African American male. He is unmarried and does not have children. At the time of his arrest, Mr. Griffin was largely homeless and receiving services from Outreach for the Homeless.
Mr. Griffin was raised in a chaotic, often violent and dismissive environment. His father, who Mr. Griffin says used crack cocaine and alcohol to excess, spent much of Mr. Griffin’s childhood in and out of prison. His mother, who eventually would also become addicted to crack cocaine, routinely “used stuff in the house” to beat Mr. Griffin. This, however, was usually the result of some argument or altercation between the parents. Mr. Griffin’s mother passed away on his birthday in 2005. He is uncertain …show more content…
Griffin struggled with mental health and AODA concerns.
Education – Mr. Griffin completed his formal education at Travis Academy, graduating in 2000. Although enrolled in special education courses throughout much of his enrollment, Mr. Griffin went on to attend Bryant & Stratton College for information technology. However, he discontinued his studies in 2001 as he continued to struggle with various symptoms of schizophrenia and depression. “One day I just decided not to go anymore.”
AODA History/Concerns – Mr. Griffin’s drug of choice is marijuana. He shared with this writer that he has used ecstasy pills and “sometimes” drinks alcohol, but usually only in social settings. Regarding the matter before the Court, Mr. Griffin said he had been “off [his] meds for a while” and had been drinking and smoking marijuana. For many years, he struggled with admitting that he has a problem, but considers that most of his arrests and incarcerations were connected to his 15+ year marijuana and alcohol habit.
According to him, using marijuana diminishes the negative voices in his head, allows him to remain calm, and minimizes the likelihood that he will behave impulsively. Alcohol, however, is sometimes a trigger for his anger and problematic
Mr. Griffin was raised in a chaotic, often violent and dismissive environment. His father, who Mr. Griffin says used crack cocaine and alcohol to excess, spent much of Mr. Griffin’s childhood in and out of prison. His mother, who eventually would also become addicted to crack cocaine, routinely “used stuff in the house” to beat Mr. Griffin. This, however, was usually the result of some argument or altercation between the parents. Mr. Griffin’s mother passed away on his birthday in 2005. He is uncertain …show more content…
Griffin struggled with mental health and AODA concerns.
Education – Mr. Griffin completed his formal education at Travis Academy, graduating in 2000. Although enrolled in special education courses throughout much of his enrollment, Mr. Griffin went on to attend Bryant & Stratton College for information technology. However, he discontinued his studies in 2001 as he continued to struggle with various symptoms of schizophrenia and depression. “One day I just decided not to go anymore.”
AODA History/Concerns – Mr. Griffin’s drug of choice is marijuana. He shared with this writer that he has used ecstasy pills and “sometimes” drinks alcohol, but usually only in social settings. Regarding the matter before the Court, Mr. Griffin said he had been “off [his] meds for a while” and had been drinking and smoking marijuana. For many years, he struggled with admitting that he has a problem, but considers that most of his arrests and incarcerations were connected to his 15+ year marijuana and alcohol habit.
According to him, using marijuana diminishes the negative voices in his head, allows him to remain calm, and minimizes the likelihood that he will behave impulsively. Alcohol, however, is sometimes a trigger for his anger and problematic