10 participants take big life step

The 11th Circuit Drug Court held a graduation ceremony for 10 participants on Thursday at the Bolivar County Courthouse in Cleveland. The pews were filled with family, friends, and fellow drug court participants in Bolivar and Coahoma Counties. The event was the seventh advancement ceremony since the Drug Court was organized in 2003. The 10 graduates are among the 57 people that have graduated since the first advancement ceremony in April 2006.

“This program provides an early intervention for treatment and recovery and serves as an alternative to sentencing for participants,” Drug Court Coordinator Tracy Swafford said. “Through this program the participants have been given the skills necessary to have a solid foundation in order to build a productive and meaningful life.”

Swafford added that now the graduates can live “a new life absent, of course, of alcohol and drugs.”

Drug Court was organized by now Senior Circuit Court Judge Al Smith. Participants must plead guilty to their crime and it is up to a circuit court judge to accept them into the program. There, the participants are under a tiny microscope and they must pay for all costs. Swafford said that over $100,000 has been paid to respected circuit clerks, costing the taxpayers nothing.

“It’s a blessing to y’all out there,” Smith said to the crowd as he welcomed Calvary Episcopal Church Rector Bailey Norman to speak. “It’s good to see some smiles on faces I never thought I would see smiles from.”

Norman spoke about his own trials and tribulations and challenged all the Drug Court participants to believe in the program and hope for a brighter future.

“You have learned very painfully, but very rightfully…that we’re not always the masters of our destiny,” he said. “Instead of serving drugs, I serve a higher power. I serve God, but I’m also accountable to the people in my life who love me, who care for me.”

Norman told participants that small lifestyle changes such as the group of people one hangs out with makes a big contribution on the road to recovery.

When the 10 graduates received their certificates and offered testimonials, many fought back the tears.

“I want to thank Drug Court for accepting me into this program and having faith in me when I didn’t have faith in myself,” one graduate said crying.

Another painful testimonial from a graduate: “Wasn’t too many years ago I wanted to live. I wanted to die because of this disease of addiction. Through this program and my sponsor and everybody, I’ve learned a way to live.”

One graduate read from a letter: “I was in and out of trouble my whole life, and my life was nothing short of a crooked road.”

When given the choice to go to Drug Court or to prison in Rankin County, she chose Drug Court.

“Change is just what I have done,” she said. “Ever since rehab, my life has changed for the best. I’m back in school at Mississippi Delta Community College, not to mention making A’s. My son is now back in my life and knows me as his mother. I’m also working and beginning to stand on my own two feet. Drug Court has really been a journey. My life has changed and I’ll continue this journey in being a better person myself.”