Seven Drug Court graduates were celebrated Thursday in an emotional ceremony filled with applause, hugs and a few tears.
Hosting the ceremony was District Judge Daniel Creitz, who noted the graduates have a high standard to meet.
Since its inception into the 31st Judicial District in 2013, the Drug Court’s 39 graduates have remained notably clean. Only two of the 39 have “re-entered” the system due to drug arrests, Creitz said.
“As addicts, you know that’s a remarkable number,” Creitz told the graduates.
Each of the seven graduates gave short speeches thanking those who assisted along their road to recovery.
One graduate described herself as “going from a hopeless dope addict to a dopeless hope addict.”
PRIOR to the ceremony, Creitz greeded the other 15 or so participants in various stages of Drug Court, including some who only recently had been assigned to the program.
Drug Court is a system of meetings and treatment sessions for those who have been convicted of felony drug possession, but not other serious crimes, such as person crimes or manufacturing and/or sale of drugs.
An intense screening process also is required.
From there, participants are required to stay out of legal trouble, remain employed, and most importantly, stay away from drugs or alcohol.
On one occasion Thursday, Creitz denied one tearful plea from a woman recently arrested after violating her Drug Court provisions.
Even so, each person who spoke with Creitz and the packed courtroom were celebrated with rounds of applause.
Creitz himself, shifted from taciturn judge to gregarious host with each, encouraging each to remain committed to Drug Court and its teachings.
“You’re on the right path,” he cajoled one participant. “It’s a slow process, one step at a time.”
THE STORIES were both encouraging and scary.
One graduate spoke about how anger and drug addictions were ruining his life, “Until Oct. 4, 2013, when I met my rock,” the woman who later became his wife. “I know this hasn’t been easy for her.”
On top of the various Drug Court participants, Creitz introduced each of the many players who helped turn Drug Court into reality, such as probation officers, attorneys and court services personnel.
Drug Court meets the first and third Thursday of each month.
