A ceremony was held on October 31 to honor the first graduates of St. Clair County’s Drug Court program. The year old program is an alternative court for those who could benefit more from treatment for their addiction than incarceration. It is an opportunity for offenders to kick the habit that in most cases fueled the criminal behavior and put their lives back together. The road to completion is not easy for participants who must plead guilty to their charge, pay fines, submit to intensive monitoring, and attend weekly outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Three defendants met the requirements and enjoyed a special event recognizing their achievements attended by family, friends, and county officials. Guest speakers were Circuit Judges Jim Hill and Charles Robinson, Drug Court Judge R.O. Hughes, Assistant District Attorney Carol Boone, District Attorney Robert Minor, Pell City Mayor-elect Bill Hereford, New Pathways Director Patsy Isbell, and Tammy Gibbs Drug Court Case Manager. Former Drug Court Judge and new Pell City Mayor Bill Hereford said, “The defendants who go through Drug Court are good people who have owned up to their problems and are trying to do something about it. They are role models for others in this program and the changes they have made in their lives will be reflected in a lot of other lives.”

In his address to the graduates, District Attorney Richard Minor told them they have the opportunity to show those in other counties who do not have drug courts that this program can work. “Not only is this an opportunity to help yourselves and your families by turning your lives around for the better, but an opportunity to prove this program works to those who doubt it.” He also told the graduates the news they have been waiting to hear, “Upon successful completion of the drug court program requirements, motions have been filed to dismiss the felony charges against you.”

After accepting certificates, graduates were given the opportunity to address the crowd gathered to support them. One graduate said, “This (sobriety) is something I wanted, but could not do by myself. Six months before I got busted I told the Lord that I wanted to change, and drug court is what he used to help me do that.”