MANSFIELD – Twenty-two former addicts are celebrating their recovery, after participating in more than a year-long program.
The Richland County Substance Abuse Treatment Court (SATC) had a record number of people graduate from its 18th annual graduation ceremony Thursday, May 11, in the Life Celebration Center, 129 S Main St.
“You have a long journey ahead of you, but you’ve accomplished something great here,” said state representative Mark James Romanchuk.
When trying to battle addiction alone, the success rate can be as low as 5 percent, but through drug court, there is a 76 percent graduation rate, explained Judge Brent N. Robinson at the ceremony.
“That’s extremely high,” he said.
“The reason it is successful is because it is a partnership. It’s not just one person,” he continued. “It’s a judge that works together with probation and patrol officers… Law enforcement is involved, and all our treatment providers are instrumental… then, finally the most important part is the motivated participants.”
After graduate Kelly Gillette was arrested for the possession of heroin, she joined the program. She recalls that the date was Dec. 17, 2015.
“It was rough at first, but they did their job,” Gillette said. “They sent me to rehab for four months… best four months of my life.”
The bold, white lettering on her custom-made t-shirt read, “My P.O. saved my life” on the front and “Sober since April 15, 2016” on the back.
She thanks everyone who helped her to helped her get her life back.
Another graduate, Samantha says getting arrested saved her life.
“There’s an officer who arrested me five years ago,” she said. “I want to thank that man for saving my life.”
Surrounded by loved ones, she cut off her ankle monitor at the end of the graduation ceremony.
“This program is amazing,” she said. “They care about you.”
The other graduates were identified by their first name and last initial during the ceremony to protect their identities.
The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer lead by Brother Dan Gates, who has worked with many of the graduates to fulfill their spiritual needs throughout the 12 to 18-month program. This was followed by remarks by Robinson and the presentation of the graduates.
“There’s hope with addiction, but it does take hard work and dedication from the people involved,” Robinson said.
