Two celebrate graduation from drug court program

It was an afternoon of celebration at the Christian County Justice Center Wednesday, as two people successfully graduated from the Christian County Drug Court program.

A graduation ceremony was held in honor of Whitney Rose and Keith Ladd, who both completed the 18 month program, which has a strict, four-phase effort that includes frequent drug testing, maintaining a job, mandatory attendance at recovery meetings and weekly appearances to drug court.

Rose says the program saved her life and has helped her get back on track.

Ladd says recovery from addiction is a daily choice and drug court held him accountable when he couldn’t trust himself and helped him have hope again.

Circuit Judge Andrew Self says their graduation from the course comes at the result of difficult work and commitment from both the graduates and those who love them.

Circuit Judge John Atkins says he’s proud of both Ladd and Rose, and he bragged on the drug court staff that work relentlessly to help those who are battling addiction to succeed. Christian County Drug Court has been in action for 18 years and is known as one of the most successful substance abuse programs in the state.