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Tenth class graduates from Drug Court
NEVADA, Mo. -- The Vernon County Adult Drug Court Committee announced its 10th drug court graduation ceremony, which was held April 18, at 5 p.m., in the circuit courtroom at the Vernon County Courthouse.
Though names are not made public, families turned out in numbers to support the four graduates who completed the program despite the hardships that were presented to them.
They had endured the worst, yet sat present in the courtroom, sometimes smiling at their former lives, oftentimes crying for those former lives filled with mistakes. Some of the graduates were not expected to complete the program, however officials had hoped that they would do so and offered them chances for recovery.
Some of the graduates were so far involved in their drug abuse that they seemed like they were not to be long for this world, as a speaker stated on Tuesday night. However, they beat the odds last night and with their ceremonial culmination, families stood up, clapped and offered court-wide words of love and support before all officials and audience members.
Children spoke of their love for their mothers with shaky voices and nervous glances.
Judge James R. Bickel said "Tonight we have four graduates each with a different story, some with last chances. The ceremony should be a commencement rather than a graduation. A graduation means the end of something, where a commencement means the continuation of."
Judge Bickel also presented the drug court committee and commended them for all their hard work. The committee is made up of numerous advocates and administrators, David M. Heumader, administrator; Sheriff Ron Peckman; Nevada Police Department's Kevin Doyle; Clerk Vikie Erwin; Defense Attorneys' Joseph G. Zuzul and Rebecca Elliston; Pathways representatives John Braucher and Stan Ford; CMCH Dr. Ron Hagy, J.B. Wollverton and Laura Hernandez; Probation and Parole officers Brian Teems, Lynn Doyle and Joy Marbough; Prosecuting Attorney Lynn M. Ewing III; Community Service M.L. "Pete" Schmidt and Juvenile Officer Jeani Longstreth and Jennifer Thomas.
"The committee meets every Tuesday at 8 a.m., they give their time. Each and every one of them is like a parent to the offenders." said the Hon. Gerald D. McBeth.
This committee meets weekly to discuss program and protocol for various drug court participants. They each work diligently and compassionately with the offenders to help them to become more productive members of society and of their families.
Robert Fox, pastor of Maranatha Christian Fellowship, provided the invocation for the event. He and his church were commended for their excellent aid and fellowship to the program and the participants.
Music was provided by a former graduate who sang "One day at a time" stating: "that is all anyone can do, is take it one day at a time, remember that."
Judge Bickell invited a special keynote speaker to provide the graduation address.
Hon. Mary Rhodes Russell, of the Supreme Court of Missouri, turned to the graduates and congratulated them and their families for their hard work, perseverance and strength. She stated that "Each graduate should be commended for their sober and drug-free status, finding a job and maintaining it and completing the community service. They deserve congratulations."
Judge Russell also said "Today they are making a fresh start in life. They came because they had to, they had given up. But today they are drug free and have a deep understanding of self. We live in a disposable society, this should not be the case with people."
Judge Russell asserted that there were three things that the offenders had learned. One being confidence. The second not to be a professional victim, and third to help others win as well.
Russell quoted that famous orator and Britain's' former Prime Minster Sir Winston Churchill.
"Never, never, never, never give up."
When the speeches were finished and the refreshments were served, the graduates went home to their new lives, new homes and hopefully to a renewed sense of self and spirit.
The Vernon County Adult Drug Court Program was established in July 2001, to promote the safety of the citizens of Vernon County, by early intervention and monitoring of defendants with substance abuse problems; thereby reducing the costs to the criminal justice system, without increasing the risk to the community.
"The goals of the drug court program are to have defendants achieve sobriety and becoming productive, law-abiding, taxpaying members of society. The successful completion of the drug court program is a major step by these participants toward achieving these goals. The program is designed to provide intense supervision and treatment moving toward eventual graduation." states the Drug Courts official doctrine.
The drug court division is one of 36 in Missouri. Missouri is a leader in drug courts, with more per capita than any other state in the nation. Research has shown that by participating in Drug Courts, offenders show a significant decrease in incarceration and furthered rehabilitation services. It's a grueling program which can be tailored per offender. If crime is reduced, the cost to victims, also known as "victimization costs" is also reduced.