DRUG COURT GRADUATION

Eight people officially graduated from the Drug Court program on August 22 in a ceremony held in Courtroom #1. Following a motivational speech by Chris White, the clinical supervisor at Gaudenzia House, Judge William P. Mahon presented the 8 individuals who completed the intense one-to-two year treatment and alternative punishment program where rehabilitation is stressed more than punishment. (NOTE: All proceedings within Drug Court are confidential and not intended for public dissemination; as such, and after consulting with Judge Mahon on this story, no last names are included in recognizing these individuals.)

• Jason entered the program afterbeing found laying in a street in Phoenixville, high on PCP. Since then, his wife is expecting their first child in mid-November, has moved out of Chester County, and was recently promoted to a management position at his place of employment. He has been sober for nearly 15 months.
• Robert admitted that he had lied a lot when he first entered Drug Court, however at the time he completed the program, he had been relapse free for 17 months and had submitted 55 negative drug screens in a row. He now has steady employment at a local supermarket and is supporting a large family, who in turn is supporting him as he shakes the demons of drug abouse out of his system.
• Ben had entered Drug Court after being caught smoking marijuana with a teenage friend. The program enabled him to gain both maturity and sobriety and his has since gained full time employment as well. He also has been clean and sober for 17 months.
• Dominic had been admitted to the combined Drug Court/ARD program after a DUI stop when he was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine. In the 18 months since he first entered the program, he had admitted that he relapsed during Phase II of the program, but a stint in rehab was a key to getting back on track. Once he committed himself to participating in 12-step programs and getting strong support from his wife and probation officer, Dominic now owns his own business.
• Ryan had to overcome several obstacles in order to complete his 16 month program in Drug Court, including serious medical issues, part of which led to a relapse. However, for the past year, Ryan has been sober and now balancing work and a class load at St. Joseph's University.
• Casey was able to beat addictions and remain sober by balancing a course load at WCU with part time employment and a fresh outlook on life. Casey also expressed pride in not relapsing while on a recent vacation to Florida.
• Emery admitted that he was playing games when he first entered Drug Court, however eventually something clicked and at the end of two years in the program he saw the light. Between community service and job training classes, he was able to obtain employment at a local sub shop in town and has also picked up full time clerical work in the medical industry. He is also trying to re-bond with his son. "They didn't let me quit when it got tough," Emery said during the ceremony.
• Doug found himself in Drug Court after being caught with marijuana at his college dorm room, resulting in his expulsion. Now, 18 months later, he gained full-time employment, became a father, and began to attend school to take business classes. Making his committment to the Drug Court program more remarkable is the fact that Doug resides in the Lehigh Valley.

After the graduates were recognized, Judge Mahon officially signed their respective expungement orders. This was followed by a ceremonial ripping up of the criminal complaint forms, a symbol of the fact that their records would now be expunged and all facts of their case wiped away from public view.

Over the course of a year, at least 6-to-8 such ceremonies are held each year, as the Drug Court program is an ongoing process where people who successfuly complete the program leave and new candidates are admitted into the program to go through what will be an intense process that will prove one way or another if they are willing to commit to being productive and contributing members of society.