It was an emotional day in Drug Court as they celebrated their second graduating class on Thursday. Three graduated from the program, bringing the total number who have completed the program to four.
“This is just awesome,” said District Judge Daniel Creitz. “These people are awesome and they’ve done remarkable things.”
Drug Court is a program organized by the 31st Judicial District to help those struggling with drug dependency overcome their addiction and reintegrate into society. It is modeled after similar programs used across the country. The program’s objectives include increasing the number of participants receiving treatment by 75 percent by Dec. 15, 2015 and decreasing the number of drug-related charged offenses by 10 percent by Dec. 31, 2015.
The program includes regular meetings with drug counselors, probation officers, case managers and regular appearances before the judge. Random drug testing is also done.
Each graduate was given a plaque for completing the program, a congratulatory card from United Methodist Women and a gift certificate. Each graduate also each gave a short speech to the audience, which was made up almost entirely of people still in the program. They thanked Creitz and other members of the team, as well as spoke directly to their friends in the program, giving advice and encouragement to stick with the program.
“I was desperate for change and had thrown away so many opportunities,” said new graduate Danny Fox.
He also knew that graduation was not the end of the journey.
“I still have a long road ahead of me,” he said.
Matthew Cox spoke of his struggles to overcome marijuana and denial. He and Fox both shook Judge Creitz’s hand when they finished their speeches.
Arguably, the highlight of the afternoon came from Dorothy Culbertson, who spoke at length of her struggles with methamphetamine addiction and how it impacted her husband and children.
“Admitting I was an addict was the hardest part of recovery,” she said, but now she was proud of being clean for 283 days.
She also thanked everyone who had helped and supported her along the way. Her voice cracked with emotion as she thanked Judge Creitz. Several people in the courtroom wiped away tears and even Creitz seemed to be struggling to keep his composure.
“I’ve never had so much respect for a man as I do you,” she said to Creitz.
Instead of shaking his hand, she gave him a big hug. The entire Drug Court gave her a standing ovation.
Creitz said Drug Court was a team effort with a lot of people involved, but ultimately it was up to the individual to make the right choices.
