Graduates of the 14th Circuit Drug Court marked their routes to a second chance at life at a graduation ceremony Monday. 

Approximately 45 individuals from the Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties received recognition for either moving forward in the Drug Court program or completing the program. The ceremony took place Monday afternoon in Horace Holmes Student Union Hall on the campus of Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit.

The hall was filled with parents, family members, friends and others who came to show support for those who are currently in and graduating from the program.

Assistant District Attorney Brendon Adams served as master of ceremony and opened by describing how Drug Court consists of not only the two 14th Circuit judges – Judge David Strong and Judge Michael Taylor  – but also many other individuals involved in the day-to-day court process.

“They’re not here to babysit you,” Adams said about the people who make up Drug Court’s administration. “They’re here to help you.”

During his remarks to the graduating class, Strong stressed that Drug Court isn’t a right that everyone has.

“It’s a privilege,” Strong said. “Every person involved in the decision-making process wanted you to be here.”

Strong reminded those gathered that everyone makes mistakes.

“That doesn’t mean that things can’t be corrected,” he said.

Strong said the important thing is that when graduates leave Drug Court they make the correct decisions for them, their families and their futures.

Taylor, who has run the Drug Court program since 2005, agreed with Strong’s ending remarks, reiterating that graduates will face challenges in the future.

Taylor shared a quote from boxer Mike Tyson saying, “Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the face.”

“Life is going to punch you in the face, and what is your plan going to be?” he asked.

Those graduating were split into three groups: those moving from phase two to phase three, those moving from phase three to four, and those who have completed all requirements for the program.

The 14th Circuit Drug Court program was started in 1999 by Judge Keith Starrett and was the first Drug Court in the state as well as the first felony-level Drug Court in the state. Taylor explained that everybody in the Drug Court program pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge. If they graduate from the program those charges are expunged.

“They can uncheck that box for the rest of their life,” he said.

The Drug Court program includes four phases. The first phase is treatment. Phase two is reached when treatment is completed and lasts for one year. Phase three also lasts one year and is completed when fines are paid off.

Phase four is reached when all fines are paid and is a sort-of monitoring phase where attendees aren’t drug-tested as much. They are given a little freedom to prepare for a world where there won’t be constant drug tests.

Taylor said those in Drug Court meet once a week and are tested randomly two nights a week. He said the program is mainly about treatment and aftercare, which then builds a community of recovery. About 70 percent of those who go into Drug Court complete the program.

“Drug Court is evolving, and it’s larger than it has ever been,” Taylor said.

He described that its growth is because it addresses a large part of the corrections problem, which he sees as how to better spend money on corrections. He said Drug Courts are a cheaper, more effective and more humane way to help with addiction instead of locking people up.

Taylor said that offenders who go through Drug Court are less likely to appear back in jail or in court. He spoke of the attachments made while in Drug Court and the more than 200 visits with Drug Court administration each graduate has under their belt after graduating.

“There are too many stories to tell in this room,” Taylor said near the end of the ceremothree to four, and those who have completed all requirements for the program.

The 14th Circuit Drug Court program was started in 1999 by Judge Keith Starrett and was the first drug court in the state as well as the first felony-level drug court in the state. Taylor explained that everybody in the Drug Court program pled guilty to a felony drug charge. If they graduate from the program those charges are expunged.

“They can uncheck that box for the rest of their life,” he said.

The Drug Court program includes four phases. The first phase is treatment. Phase two is reached when treatment is completed and lasts for one year. Phase three also lasts one year and is completed when fines are paid off.

Phase four is reached when all fines are paid and is a sort-of monitoring phase where attendees aren’t tested as much and Drug Court administration backs off. They are given a little freedom to prepare for a world where there won’t be constant drug tests.

Taylor described that those in Drug Court meet once a week and are tested randomly two nights a week. He said that the program is mainly about treatment and aftercare, which then builds a community of recovery. About 70 percent of those who go into drug court complete the program.

“Drug Court is evolving, and it’s larger than it has ever been,” Taylor said.

He described that its growth is because it addresses a large part of the corrections problem, which he sees as how to better spend money on correction. He said Drug Courts are a cheaper, more effective and more humane way to provide for addiction instead of locking people up.

Taylor said that those who send people to jail notice that the people who go through drug court were less likely to appear back in jail or in court. He spoke of the attachments made while in Drug Court and the more than 200 visits with Drug Court administration each graduate has under their belt after graduating.

“There are too many stories to tell in this room,” Taylor said near the end of the ceremony. “Stay in touch and stay engaged for those coming through now and after you.”