There was a big ceremony on the steps of the Christian County Justice Center Friday afternoon, as numerous people celebrated beating addiction with graduation from the Drug Court program.
The Christian County Drug Court program is an extensive 18-month long 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. The ceremony was held in honor of Steven Hodge, Kaley Vincent, Ashley Williams, Tiffany Blythe, Taylor Honea, Kayla Darling, Sarah Beth Brumley, Amy Hodge, Michael Choate, Brianna Beam and Kayla Darling.
Steven Hodge says he owes more than he can say to the drug court program, saying he’s been able to take care of his family and himself thanks to that.
Choate says they didn’t have to give him a chance, but he’s glad they did because now he can move forward in his life and with his children.
Darling says the staff of the drug court program saw something in her that she didn’t see in herself, and now she keep her head up high with pride at what she and others have accomplished.
Judge John Atkins congratulated all of them, saying that through hard work, spirit and determination, not only have they saved their lives, they have saved the future.
Judge Andrew Self called the staff some of the best in the world, who work non-stop to help those who need it most. May is National Drug Court Month and Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch and Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble read a proclamation in honor of that, with each congratulating the graduates on conquering addiction, saying what they did is truly admirable.
The ceremony in it’s entirety, including remarks from graduates, can be heard below:
