Princeton, W.Va. – Mercer County’s Drug Court hosted an early Thanksgiving celebration and graduation for participants.
The voluntary, 18-month program has four phases designed to help participants overcome addiction, break the cycle of felony behavior, and reintegrate as productive members of the community.
Lakie Delida, the Mercer County Adult Drug Court Coordinator, sees firsthand the effort and transformation these individuals are making.
She said, “These graduates have worked very, very hard to change their life. Oftentimes getting their children back, having babies that are drug free, getting visitation with their kids, starting jobs, building their credit score, buying vehicles and planning for their life outside of treatment.”
While the graduates will slowly adjust back to these daily life skills, one graduate tells us participation means more than just a recovery.
“I gained a relationship with God and that’s the first and foremost thing that I will never let go of,” said Dwain Sheppard. “You know, the life skills that I’ve gained while I was in this program and the friendships, the brotherhood can’t ever let go of.”
These graduates find strength through the support of friends and family.
The goal for the drug court is to help offenders become productive, law-abiding citizens, while improving the collaboration between criminal justice and community agencies.
The program also aims to lower incarceration costs and improve efficiency within the justice system.
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