Graduates praised for finishing grueling rehabilitation program
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?I want you to be proud of yourselves,? said Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley, addressing the graduates Tuesday during a ceremony in the same courtroom where the five entered pleas at earlier dates. ?It?s so easy to turn back when things go wrong, and things have been tough for some our graduates, but they stuck with it.?
Graduating Tuesday were Virginia Andrews, Aaron O?dineal, James Tittsworth, Ross Herrin and Danny Hobbs. They join three graduates from last year as the only people to complete the year-long program. There are presently 11 people still active in the drug court program.
The program was started by Judge Stanley a few years ago in response to recidivism by drug offenders.
?In drug court programs I looked at, there were 60 to 90 percent who were able to beat their addictions,? Stanley said. ?Instead of just repeating the cycle, I thought we should try to do something to end the cycle. What we?re doing here is taking people who aren?t criminals, they?re just drug addicts. If it weren?t for their addictions, they would be regular members of society. Our goal is to break that addiction and restore them to being productive members of the community.?
The program requires applicants to fully submit to an intensive regimen which keeps track of the offenders and also makes them take many random drug tests, maintain employment, report to court regularly and attend substance abuse meetings. Those completing the course avoid jail time but are still held accountable for their crimes. Those not making the cut are sent to serve their prison sentences.
?They are still required to serve their probation so they don?t just get to go on their merry way,? Stanley said. ?Our first class from last year has done great, with one of the couples even leading classes now to help others.?
Stanley added there are many volunteers from mental health to prosecutors, from lawmen to probation officials, who help with the program.
?Those on the team want those in the program to beat their addictions,? Stanley said.