Seven Participants Will Graduate Adult Drug Court Friday

The following is a press release from the Humboldt County Drug Court:

The Adult Drug Court Program invites the public to celebrate the completion of its program by 7 participants. The graduation will take place March 22 at 2:30 pm at the Jury Selection room on the ground floor of the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka. Members of our community will share stories of these dedicated individuals who were not afraid to change habits and, even when they suffered setbacks, did not give up but continued on in their fight for sobriety.

The Humboldt County Probation Department is proud to celebrate over 530 participants successfully completing the program since its inception in 1997. All graduates were addicted to methamphetamine, heroin, alcohol or a combination of multiple substances, finding themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. Drug Court offered them the opportunity to change their lives.

Drug Court is an 18-month program with intensive supervision, frequent drug and alcohol testing and supportive interventions and therapy. Many who enter the program do not succeed. Many reject the offer while in jail because they have heard how difficult it is.

All of our recent graduates completed a treatment program, transitioned into the community with job requirements, as well as personal goals of reunifying with family members whose relationships were damaged as a result of drug use.

All seven graduates are employed fulltime and are making restitution payments to the county and to their victims. Many have obtained their California driver’s license or are working on this goal.  All have dreams for the future.

Statistics show that 75 percent of Drug Court graduates will never return to the criminal system. What statistics do not reflect is the effect their transformation has on their family, their children, their friends and their community. They inspire all those around them to believe in the ability we have as human beings to overcome horrible abuse, pain and suffering and face our demons without the crutch of intoxicating substances.